By Elementary school literacy will be one focus of the Aberdeen Public School District as classes resume.
The school board approved a series of goals for the 2024-25 school year during its meeting on Monday, Aug. 12 at the District Service Center.
Superintendent Becky Guffin went through the goals during the meeting. Student achievement is a priority.
“Students will demonstrate continuous improvement toward a high level of individual success in all curricular areas,” one goal reads.
MORE: Aberdeen school district summer projects ahead of schedule
Guffin discussed English language arts in some detail.
Guffin
Part of the action plan is to provide professional development for teachers on the science of reading. The training will be provided by the South Dakota Department of Education, Guffin told board members.
Guffin and Assistant Superintendent Camille Kaul completed the program during the summer.
“We did complete the science of reading, and it is an extremely, extremely intense training, but it was very good,” Guffin said.
She said the training breaks down the science of reading into small parts and helps teachers diagnose what’s happening with a student who’s falling behind.
“Usually you know how to read when you get to fifth grade. What do you do when one doesn’t? It helps you diagnose what’s happening there,” Guffin explained.
She said Kaul will be leading a literacy committee that will develop an elementary literacy plan.
The proficiency level for English language arts in the Aberdeen School District for the year 2022-23 was 54%. That statewide average was 50%.
The overall action plan includes meeting or exceeding targets for each school in reading and math as measured by the state assessment. An annual curriculum review in language arts to ensure alignment with state standards and best practices is also part of the plan.
Addressing the district’s literacy goals will be the focus of all in-service training days for teachers at Aberdeen elementary schools, Guffin said.
In other action, the board:
- Heard an update from Director of Operations Ben Schnell on summer projects. He said work is either complete or will be finished within a few days on all of the summer projects crews have been working on across the district. That includes refurbishing the flooring at Golden Eagles Arena, the O.M. Tiffany playground and an update to the graphics on the press box at the football, soccer and track complex.