With second quarter coming to a close after the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to bring back to forefront the expectations for our students in reading. Students must make sufficient gains in their reading skills and be reading at benchmark to be considered proficient. Students who are working on the regular standard course of study are held to the same proficiency standards with few exemptions. While reading behaviors and skills are learned over time, students must master grade level targets/ benchmarks each year in kindergarten, first grade and second to be on track for proficiency. Third grade growth in skills and proficiency at each benchmark is especially critical, as promotion from third grade is contingent upon reading proficiency beginning this school year.
Have questions? Please contact me via email at cgraf1@wcpss.net or call me 919-890-7330. I want to be sure you are informed and I have resources to share with you to support your child at home.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
NC Read to Achieve Program
The Read to Achieve Program is a part of the Excellent Public Schools Act which became law in July of 2012 and applies to all schools at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. Watch the Implementation of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program Parent Guide video >
The State Goal § 115C-83.1A.
The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex text when needed for secondary education and career success.
The 7 Components of Read to Achieve
Developmental Screening and Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA)
Elimination of Social Promotion
Successful Reading Development for Retained Students
Parent/Guardian Notification
Accountability Measures
Comprehensive Reading Plan
Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency
Read to Achieve Parent Resources
Read to Achieve Parent Letter
Read to Achieve Glossary
Read to Achieve Parent Information (color) - (black and white)
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Read to Achieve Guidebook
Comprehensive Reading Plan K-12
Reading Rockets - Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
Colorín Colorado - Colorín Colorado is a free web-based service that provides information, activities and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs).
U.S. Department of Education - Reading tips for parents
