I am thrilled to announce the launch of a powerful new literacy initiative at Dalton Public Schools, aimed at fostering a culture of reading excellence and empowering every student to unlock their full potential. As we embark on this journey, I am filled with enthusiasm for the transformative impact this initiative will have on the lives of our students.
At the heart of our endeavor is our Dalton Reads! program, a comprehensive literacy initiative based on key literacy legislation from the state. Our mission is clear: to equip all students grades K-12 with the literacy skills they need to succeed academically and beyond.
In 2023, Georgia passed House Bill 538 and Senate Bill 48, legislative bills that mandate the implementation of Structured Literacy based on the Science of Reading. We are eager to join this educational revolution, embracing evidence-based practices to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a proficient reader.
Central to our approach is an understanding of the Science of Reading, a body of scientifically-based research from the last five decades informing how reading and writing develop, why students struggle, and how we effectively address these difficulties. This research emphasizes the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. By tailoring our instruction to how the brain learns to read, we can meet the diverse needs of our students and set them up for lifelong success.
Structured Literacy serves as the cornerstone of our program, providing explicit, systematic and cumulative instruction in reading and writing. Through this approach, we break down language concepts into manageable chunks and provide ample opportunities for practice and reinforcement, laying a solid foundation for literacy acquisition.
Crucial to the success of Dalton Reads! is our commitment to providing high-quality professional learning opportunities for our teachers. By investing in our educators, we are investing in the future of our students and our community. Additionally, we are dedicated to providing educators with research-based resources that align with the principles of Structured Literacy.
As we embark on this exciting journey, I invite you to join us in igniting a passion for literacy and unleashing the potential within every learner. Together, let us pave the way for a future where every individual has the power to script their own success story through the magic of reading.
Tim Scott is superintendent of Dalton Public Schools.