Empowering minds of teachers and students
In January of 2021, Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine signed a dyslexia bill, House Bill 33, which requires districts to train teachers and provide dyslexia screeners to students based on specific timelines. After teachers at Triad learned of this bill, they embraced the opportunity to begin intense training before the required deadline because they believed it would be best for our students.
Two years ago, many teachers in the district started a two-year program called LETRS (Language Essentials of Teachers of Reading and Spelling). This training teaches the how, what and why of literacy acquisition to improve instructional practice and impact long-term systemic change in literacy instruction. This intense program is being completed by all classroom teachers pre-k to 4th grade along with Intervention Specialists in the middle and high schools. Many teachers are in their concluding year of this program. This year, Language Arts teachers in fifth and sixth grade are also completing a complimentary program to gain new knowledge and skills in order to accommodate these changes and gain new expertise.
In many schools, literacy is a focus, and at Triad, this is no different. Several years ago, Triad hired additional staff members to provide small group intervention to students at Triad Elementary. This team is known as the “Cardinal Crew” team, and they work with grade levels Kindergarten through fourth grade to provide specialized intervention. All of the Cardinal Crew teachers go to one grade level for an hour at a time and work with small groups, made up of any student with needs, on skills they need to improve on. The great thing about this intervention is that it is in addition to classroom instruction. Students are receiving grade level instruction and with this intervention, are also closing the gaps in deficit areas.
The introduction of House Bill 33 has led to the strategic appointment of a dedicated Literacy Coach, whose expertise in literacy and dyslexia is crucial in enhancing our district’s educational approach. The coach’s role includes providing group intervention across schools, being an invaluable resource for our teachers, and offering guidance for instructional methods. Moreover, the Literacy Coach plays a key role in implementing the new dyslexia screening procedures, ensuring they are conducted efficiently and assists in interpreting results to determine students who require additional support. This role also includes community outreach, informing parents and guardians about our literacy programs and dyslexia screenings, thus maintaining transparent communication.
Triad Local Schools’ commitment to literacy excellence is evident in their proactive and comprehensive approach to teacher training and student support. While adherence to state mandates is obligatory, the Triad team is setting a higher standard. Teachers are voluntarily dedicating additional time before and after school for collaborative learning, reflecting a shared dedication to delivering superior literacy education and fostering a nurturing environment where every student can thrive in their reading journey.