Press Article: Schools Transform Reading Instruction Through Structured Literacy
Leaders in Fulton, Grady, and Marietta districts have recognized a pressing issue: many students struggle with reading, hindering their success in other subjects and post-graduation life. In response, they have embraced structured literacy—an evidence-based approach grounded in the science of reading, which has gained consensus as the most effective method for teaching reading.
Structured literacy involves explicit and systematic instruction covering five key components: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. This shift represents a significant departure from traditional reading teaching methods that often neglected phonemic awareness and phonics.
A recent case study across these districts revealed that despite differing demographics and sizes, they developed comprehensive reform plans with common features. These include aligned curricular resources, frequent assessments to monitor student progress, and targeted instructional strategies catering to individual needs.
Critical to this transformation is the training provided to educators. Each district has invested in focused professional development, combining in-person training with flexible online sessions, incentivized through stipends. Full-time instructional coaches have been deployed in elementary schools, supporting teachers in the transition to structured literacy by providing guidance, modeling new strategies, and offering feedback in real time.
Additionally, literacy experts have been integrated into central office teams to assist coaches, help struggling teachers, and involve principals in the reform process. While the leaders acknowledge the ongoing nature of this work, they utilized federal relief funds and grants to accelerate their initiatives.
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, there is an opportunity for state policymakers to further support districts in their literacy reform efforts. A Fulton County principal noted, “All of this long term is reducing high school dropout rates,” affirming the positive impact of these changes. Claire Suggs, a senior research consultant for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, emphasizes the significant progress made in cultivating skilled readers.
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