MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Schools is hoping that money, recently approved by the School Board for teacher training, will raise the district’s literacy rates.
The director of early childhood programs, Deanna McClendon, said only about 30 percent of students in SCS are reading at or above grade level.
The School Board approved a $325,000 contract with a vendor to secure training for teachers at certain schools.
“Having a very systematic way of teaching reading to our children, we feel like we’re going to get a lift or growth from that,” McClendon said.
The training will coach teachers on strategies to engage students and focus on close-reading skills.
The agenda said $200,000 of that money could go towards supporting the district’s Comprehensive Literacy Improvement Plan (CLIP).
That is the effort the district is counting on to improve reading scores.
“CLIP is all about a 90-minute reading block, sort of like a gradual release. How do we put into children’s hands those tools that are basic to fundamental reading?” McClendon said.
The district launched CLIP last spring.
It focuses on basic reading skills at an early age.
School Board member Shante Avant told us ahead of Tuesday’s vote why it is worth it.
“CLIP, as many people refer to it, is a way for us to make sure that our teachers are trained in ways that support our students,” Avant said.
McClendon said the money invested now could make a difference down the line with graduation rates and helping students succeed in other subject areas.
“By the time our children are actually in fourth, fifth, sixth grade, and they’re reading to learn rather than learning to read, then we’re going to be in a good position, and so that’s why that particular investment would be very critical for the district,” McClendon said.
The contract for the teacher training lasts until next September.