Impact of Georgia’s Literacy Reform on Science Education

Stephanie Westhafer, EdD

First Grade Teacher, Jackson County Schools

Gubernatorial Appointee to the Georgia Council on LIteracy

Georgia Literacy Legislation

HB 538- The Georgia Early Literacy Act

• Establish Grade-Appropriate Metrics for Measuring Literacy
• Approve High-Quality Instructional Materials for K-3 Students
• Publish Approved Universal Screeners/Create Free Screener
• Develop Training Programs for K-3 Teachers (Training/Modeling/Feedback)
• PSC: Revise Literacy Instruction Standards for Teacher Certification
• Local BOE: Provide Instructional Support for K-3 Teachers
• Local BOE: Implement a Tiered Reading Intervention Plan

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SB 211- Georgia Council on Literacy

• Work with GaDOE and SBOE to Implement the Requirements of HB 538
• Review Literacy Needs and Make Recommendations for Legislation
• Review Other States’ Best Practices- Make it the Georgia Way
• Make Recommendations on New/Existing Teacher Training-
• Review Community-Based Literacy Programs and Make Recommendations

Literacy Shifts

Are these Challenges or Opportunities?

Systematic & Explicit Instruction: Strategies, Knowledge, & Connections

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Systematic & Explicit Instruction: Foundational Reading Skills

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HQIM

High-Quality

Instructional Materials

Does the type of KNOWLEDGE we’re BUILDING matter?

• Deep Dive into Topics
• Natural & Social World
• Interesting & Robust
• Aligned to GSEs
• Hands-On Experiences

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HQIM

Core Reading Program components focused on

Knowledge Building

How does SCIENCE fit in the Science of Reading?

• Foundational Skills are Necessary, but not Sufficient
• Systematic and Explicit Instruction is Beneficial in ALL Literacy
• Building Knowledge (Natural and Social World) is Essential
• Acquiring Knowledge MUST Start Early- Don’t Wait!
• Language-Rich Environments- Vocabulary and Discourse
• Engage with Complex Text- Strategies for Sensemaking
• Build on Student Interest & Curiosity- Authentic Context (ASCD, 2023)

There are Opportunities for SCIENCE

• Georgia ELA Milestones Aligned to SCI and SS Content
• Teacher Preparation Programs including Integration Training
• Opportunities for District Created Curricula Aligned to SCI and SS GSEs
• Aligning State Literacy Policies and Practices
• Literacy Guidance Rubric for Vetting Supplemental Instructional Resources

A HEAVY but WORTHY Lift

• What is Integrated Curricula?
• WHY are we focused on Literacy Reform?
• Can we continue to sacrifice SCIENCE?
• Again…WHY are we focused on Literacy Reform?

How can districts create focused HQIMs?

• Evidence-Based Approaches
• Align to the Science of Reading AND Georgia ELA Standards
• Incorporate High-Quality Literature and Read Alouds
• Create a Scope & Sequence with Instructional Routines
• Vocabulary Acquisition
• Utilize a Wide Range of Words and a Variety of Genres
• Use Vocabulary in Context and Morphemic Analysis
• Include High-Levels of Engagement and Response
• Listening & Reading Comprehension
• Interactive Discussions to Deepen Background Knowledge
• Address Complex Topics for Deeper Understanding
• Explicitly Teach Strategies Related to Text Selection

Integrate and Advocate

• Content-Rich Experiences
• High Quality Literature
• Read Alouds Access for ALL
• Literacy Sensemaking:
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking & Listening

• Research Literacy & Integration
• Integrate then Teach Others
• Collaborate with Colleagues
• Make Connections
• School/District
• Community
• Legislators

Advocacy? Integration? Experiences? Suggestions?

swesthafer@jcss.us

References

ASCD. (2023). Looking to research for literacy success. https://www.ascd.org/blogs/looking-to-research-for-literacy-success

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