DeKalb County School District
DeKalb County School District's
Literacy Policy, Regulation & Plan
"Lifting Literacy to Launch Lifelong Learning"
Presented to: DeKalb County Board of Education | April 2026 | District Literacy Team
What Is Literacy?
DCSD Statement on Literacy
Can you write a definition using some or all of the
words below?
Reading Writing Speaking Literacy is the ability to make and share meaning by interpreting
and constructing texts, including multimodal, through reading,
listening, viewing, writing, speaking, and creating for varied
purposes, audiences, and contexts.
Listening Viewing Creating
Grounded in evidence-based practices, literacy develops through
explicit and systematic instruction in both word recognition and
language comprehension and supports fluent and skilled reading
comprehension, critical thinking, and purposeful communication
across academic, civic, and real-world contexts.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 2
Georgia Milestones ELA Proficiency Rates 2024–2025
DCSD Georgia Milestones Performance 2024–2025
80
70 64 65 65
60
50
40 36 35 35
30
20
10
0
Grades 3–5 Grades 6–8 Grades 9–10
Beginning & Developing Proficient & Distinguished
Why this policy matters – Around 65% of students perform below proficient on end-of-grade ELA assessments. This policy work is urgent.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 3
Georgia Milestones: Reading Readiness 2024–2025
Nearly half of DCSD students are reading below grade level across tested grades. This policy work is urgent.
60 Grade Below At Grade Level Above
Level Grade Level Grade Level
50 47
42 Grade 3 <520L 520L–820L >820L
40
40 35 34
30 30 Grade 5 <830L 830L–1010L >1010L
30 25
20 18 Grade 8 <1010L 1010L–1185L >1185L
10
0
Grade 3 Grade 5 Grade 8
Below Grade Level At Grade Level Above Grade Level
Source: Georgia Milestones Reading Readiness Dashboard (georgiainsights.gadoe.org) · GADOE 2026 Lexile Targets
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 4
Literacy Journey to "The Georgia Literacy Act of 2026"
Georgia's literacy laws make early identification, structured literacy, and data-driven instruction non-negotiable.
1 HB 538 2 HB 307 3 HB 1193
Georgia Early Literacy Act Dyslexia Screening Act The Georgia Literacy Act of 2026
Signed April 2023 Signed April 2025 Passed (waiting to be signed)
• Encourage PreK & age 5 Kindergarten
• Science of Reading — statewide • Characteristics of dyslexia screening in
attendance
approach based on proven research K-3 • K-3 literacy coaches in every school
• HQIM adoption aligned to evidence- • Timely intervention and support for • Expands K-3 Universal Screeners and
based instruction identified students
dyslexia identification
• K-3 Universal screening and progress • Build educator and family awareness • Expands Science of Reading HQIM
monitoring • Aligns instruction with structured • Student Promotion/Retention
• Individual reading plans and targeted literacy approaches proven effective
provisions for Grades 1, 3, 5, 8
support for struggling readers for dyslexic learners • Requires local literacy plans
• Teacher training in Structured Literacy
• Establishes literacy coaching
and evidence-based practices
endorsement and statewide
committee
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 5
DCSD's Literacy Journey: Where We've Been
Building a strong foundation for districtwide literacy.
Building coherence in literacy instruction across all grade levels
K–5 Structured Literacy Early Childhood Literacy
85%+ of K-5 teachers trained in structured literacy. Adopted Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 teachers trained in structured literacy.
High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). Dedicated Waterford supplemental resources. Portrait of an Early
phonics block K–5. Amira ISP assessment K–3. Reader framework established.
Adolescent Literacy Community Engagement
Professional learning in explicit vocabulary, disciplinary
literacy, fluency, comprehension, and writing across all FACE advocates, family literacy nights, Beanstack reading
content areas in grades 6–12. platform, and Goal: 4 Million Minutes initiative districtwide.
April 2026 Data
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 6
Three Interconnected Deliverables
The District Literacy Team is developing three documents to anchor DCSD's literacy work
LITERACY POLICY LITERACY REGULATION LITERACY PLAN
Goal: Goal: Goal:
Board-level vision, commitment, and oversight Operationalizes each element of the Board Connects policy intent to classroom practice with
of literacy districtwide Policy with clear implementation guidance goals, strategies, and milestones
Detailed implementation instructions specifying A detailed document outlining specific steps,
The official rules & guidelines approved by the
instructional expectations, MTSS framework, and strategies, and actions the district will take to
school board ensuring every student receives
roles & responsibilities for every level of the improve reading and writing outcomes over 3
high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
district. years.
Analogy: The constitution — sets the standards and Analogy: The rulebook — specifies exactly how each Analogy: A GPS route — turn-by-turn directions for
non-negotiables that must be upheld. policy commitment is carried out. how to reach the destination.
Key Elements: Key Elements: Key Elements:
• Defines literacy and establishes district • Instructional expectations for all students • Goals, strategies & phased milestones (Years
framework PreK–12 1–3)
• Establishes Board commitment & oversight • Assessment & MTSS framework • Professional learning plan
• Approved by Board of Education • Roles & responsibilities district-wide • Family & community engagement strategy
• Target first read: June 15, 2026 • Professional learning & governance structure • School-level action & accountability metrics
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 7
District Literacy Team: Meeting Outcomes
Six structured meetings — March through May 2026 — to develop DCSD's Literacy Policy, Regulation & Plan
Meeting 1 Meeting 2 Meeting 3 Meeting 4
March 10, 2026 March 24, 2026 April 14, 2026 April 21, 2026
Launch & Policy Review Regulation Draft Review Literacy Plan Review Plan Deep Dive & Regulation Revision
• Reviewed Regulation Draft 4
revisions shaped by team
• Launched District Literacy • Shared Meeting 1 feedback feedback
• Confirmed Literacy Policy
Team and established group themes; affirmed strengths and • Reached consensus: use Draft
complete and Regulation
norms gaps 2A tone with Draft 2B structure
finalized
• Reviewed district literacy • Explored relationship between and format
• Reviewed all 10 sections of the
journey and Georgia Board Policy and Regulation • Agreed on 5 shared revisions:
Draft Literacy Plan
Milestones data • Reviewed Draft Literacy expand to Grades 4–12,
• Small groups reviewed Core
• Examined Draft Board Literacy Regulation: instructional rename to Unified Literacy
Instruction, Coaching &
Policy — definition, expectations, MTSS, roles & Plan, update screening
Professional Learning
framework, and Board responsibilities language, remove coaching
• Previewed stakeholder
oversight language • Collected written feedback; section, remove attendance
feedback schedule — 19
• Collected initial feedback on assigned Draft Literacy Plan data language
groups across April–May 2026
policy clarity and K–12 scope pre-work • Used a Protocol to provide
structured feedback on Draft
Literacy Plan sections
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 8
Feedback & Response: Literacy Policy
How stakeholder and team input directly shaped Draft #4 of the Board Literacy Policy
FEEDBACK RECEIVED HOW WE RESPONDED
Definition expanded to include reading, listening, viewing, writing, speaking,
Definition of literacy needed to go beyond reading to reflect the full scope of
and creating across multimodal texts — grounded in evidence-based
communication
practices (Draft #4, Statement on Literacy)
Board Affirmation language now affirms districtwide commitment promoting
Policy must explicitly address equity and access for all learners, including
access and opportunity for ALL learners PreK–12 — literacy as a shared
multilingual students and students with disabilities
responsibility across the District
→
Added dedicated Board Oversight section authorizing the Superintendent to
Board oversight language needed to be clearer and more actionable —
develop administrative regulations and requiring alignment of fiscal, human,
accountability was vague
and instructional resources
Document title 'District Literacy Plan' lacked clarity about its districtwide Renamed to 'Unified Literacy Plan' throughout the Policy to signal
coordinated scope coordination and comprehensiveness across all schools and grade levels
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 9
Feedback & Response: Literacy Regulation
How team feedback shaped the revised Literacy Regulation — combining the best of Draft 2A and 2B
FEEDBACK RECEIVED HOW WE RESPONDED
Grade band expanded to Grades 4–12 in the Regulation (Section B:
Adolescent literacy grade band (6–12) was too narrow — left out upper
Adolescent Literacy) to align with GADOE guidance and ensure continuity of
elementary students who need literacy support
supports
Combined drafts: used 2A's concise high-level tone as the base, adopted 2B's
Draft 2A was too brief in key sections (especially Foundational Literacy); Draft
format and structure. Specific implementation details moved to the Unified
2B was too prescriptive and detailed for a Regulation document
Literacy Plan
→
'Universal screening' language lacked precision and did not align to state law All references updated to 'Universal Literacy Screening' throughout the
terminology in HB 307 and HB 1193 due to NWEA MAP for K-10 students also Regulation to reflect K-3 state adopted Universal Screener; document
referred to as "Universal Screener". renamed 'Unified Literacy Plan' for consistency with Policy
Literacy Coaching section removed; coaching referenced under Educator
Standalone Literacy Coaching section and attendance/behavior language in
Resources. Attendance and behavior sentences removed from Data Review
Data Review didn't belong in a Regulation
section
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 10
Feedback & Response: Unified Literacy Plan
How stakeholder input shaped the structure and content of the Draft Unified Literacy Plan
FEEDBACK RECEIVED HOW WE RESPONDED
Plan components needed to reflect the updated K–12 scope, align to HB Streamlined to 10 components with explicit HB 1193 and DCSD Strategic Plan
1193 requirements, and be reorganized to reduce from 12 to a more 2024–2029 alignment. Component structure mirrors the Regulation for
manageable number coherence
Added dedicated Component 8: Special Populations, Multilingual Learners &
Special populations — multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and
Gifted Education with specific instructional supports embedded across all
gifted students — were not clearly addressed or named
tiers
→
Component 10 expanded: HB 307 family notifications within 15 days in 172
Family engagement expectations were generic and not multilingual —
languages; family literacy nights, Beanstack reading platform, and FACE
families needed more specific, accessible communication
advocates included
Added detailed PL calendar: Summer Leadership Conference, July
Professional learning plan lacked specificity — no calendar, no timeline, no
preplanning, Oct & Mar PL days, monthly coach meetings, Metro-RESA and
partner alignment
95PCP partnerships named
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 11
Literacy Policy: Draft #4 Overview
Board Policy sets the vision, commitments, and oversight for districtwide literacy PreK–12
Purpose & Board Affirmation
Sets the vision and expectations for literacy instruction across all schools and grade levels, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Board of
Education affirms that literacy is foundational to academic achievement and postsecondary success. The Board establishes this policy to ensure a
districtwide, coherent, and evidence-based approach to literacy instruction that promotes access and opportunity for all learners PreK–12. Literacy
achievement is a shared responsibility across the District.
Statement on Literacy
Literacy is the ability to make and share meaning by interpreting and constructing texts, including multimodal, through reading, listening, viewing,
writing, speaking, and creating for varied purposes, audiences, and contexts. Grounded in evidence-based practices, literacy develops through explicit
and systematic instruction in both word recognition and language comprehension, and supports fluent and skilled reading comprehension, critical
thinking, and purposeful communication across academic, civic, and real-world contexts.
Board Oversight
The Board shall monitor progress toward District literacy goals and ensure alignment of fiscal, human, and instructional resources with this policy. The
Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative regulations and procedures necessary to implement this policy.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 12
Literacy Regulation: Draft #4 Overview
Operationalizes the Board Policy with specific instructional, assessment, and support requirements for all schools PreK –12
Core Literacy Instruction (Tier 1) Literacy Assessment System
• Foundational Literacy (PreK–5): Explicit/systematic instruction — word • Universal Literacy Screening (K–3): District-approved tools assessing
recognition, language comprehension, fluency, skilled reading comprehension foundational skills and dyslexia characteristics; family notification required
• Adolescent Literacy (Grades 4–12): Academic vocabulary, background • Diagnostic Assessment: Identifies specific needs for students not meeting grade-
knowledge, skilled reading comprehension, college & career readiness skills level expectations
• Disciplinary Literacy (K–12): Content-specific reading, writing, and reasoning • Data Review: Structured school-team reviews at regular intervals to evaluate
embedded across all subjects progress and adjust instruction
• Writing (PreK–12): Explicit writing instruction across content areas for varied • Promotion & Retention: Literacy data informs decisions; evidence-based
purposes and audiences supports required before any retention
Multi-Tiered Literacy Supports (MTSS) Resources, Professional Learning & Family Engagement
• Professional Learning: Ongoing, job-embedded PL including science of reading
• Tier 1: Standards-aligned, evidence-based core instruction for all students
(required K–3); all educators participate per Unified Literacy Plan
• Tier 2: Data-driven targeted interventions for students needing support beyond
• Early Literacy & Kindergarten Readiness: Structured transition supports; literacy
Tier 1
readiness processes aligned to state law
• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized interventions via SST for students with
• Family Literacy Engagement: Clear communication on reading progress,
significant reading difficulties
workshops, multilingual outreach, and adult literacy support
• Enrichment: Access to extended learning for students meeting or exceeding
• Monitoring & Improvement: Superintendent-established systems for data
grade-level expectations
review, effectiveness evaluation, and proficiency goal progress
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 13
DCSD Literacy Plan 2026–2029: 10 Components
DRAFT — Aligned to the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 (HB 1193) and the DCSD Strategic Plan 2024–2029
01 02 03 04 05
Multi-Tiered Literacy
Universal Literacy Literacy Progress
Vision & Literacy Goals Core Instruction (Tier 1) Intervention System
Screening Monitoring
(MTSS)
06 07 08 09 10
Special Populations,
Data Monitoring & Early Childhood & Family & Community
Literacy Coaching Multilingual Learners &
Accountability Kindergarten Readiness Literacy Engagement
Gifted
DeKalbDeKalb
CountyCounty
School School District
District | | Literacy
DistrictTeaching & Learning
Team | March
| Board 2026 2026
Presentation 14
Unified Literacy Plan: Overview
Connects Policy and Regulation to classroom practice — 10 components aligned to HB 1193 and DCSD Strategic Plan 2024–2029
The Unified Literacy Plan operationalizes the Regulation — translating expectations into schedules, programs, timelines, and resources. It is a living document updated
annually.
Vision, Goals & Core Instruction (Tier 1) Universal Screening & Progress Monitoring
01– SMART literacy goals aligned to Georgia Milestones. 90-min ELA block + 03– MAP Growth (K–10) + Amira ISIP (K–3) three times per year. Dyslexia
02 30-min Foundations Block (K–5). Science of reading K–12 via HQIM: 04 characteristics screening included. Students at risk identification within
Wonders, myView Literacy, 95 Phonics Core Program. Literacy across all 15 days. Tier 2 monitoring every 2–3 weeks; Tier 3 weekly. Data reviewed
content areas. by teachers, coaches, and MTSS teams.
MTSS & Literacy Coaching Data Monitoring & Special Populations
05– 07– Quarterly data reviews using MAP Growth, Amira, Georgia Milestones,
Tier 1 core for all; Tier 2 EIP small-group intervention; Tier 3 intensive
06 08 WIDA ACCESS. Annual Board literacy report. Dedicated supports for
and individualized via SST. 80 QBE Literacy Coaches (K–3) + Title I
students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and gifted students
Academic Coaches (school discretion).
embedded across all tiers.
09– Early Childhood, Family & Community Engagement
10 Early Learning Center PreK3–4 oral language and phonological awareness focus. Kindergarten readiness supports aligned to HB 1193. HB 307 family notifications within
15 days in 172 languages. Family literacy nights, Beanstack, FACE advocates.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 15
Stakeholder Feedback: 19 Groups
All groups review Literacy Policy, Regulation & Plan simultaneously — structured feedback compiled before Board submission
Educators & C&I Coordinators External Stakeholders Division & Advisory Groups
• DCSD Divisional Meetings
• Curriculum & Instruction Coordinators • External Stakeholder Survey
• MTSS Team
• ELA Content Coordinators Job Alike • Three Virtual Sessions
• LTSE
• Academic Coaches • In-Person Focus Group
• Schools & Leadership LLO
• Department Chairs (TBD) • Partners in Education
• T&L Steering Committee
Family & Parent Advisory Principal & Staff Leadership District Literacy Team
• Literacy Committee Meeting
• EL Parent Advisory
• Principal Advisory • Meeting #5 (May 12)
• Parent Advisory — Virtual (Apr 29, 6:00–
• Staff Advisory • Meeting #6 (May 28)
7:30 PM)
• Teacher Advisory / TOTY • All input compiled before May/June
• Student Advisory (TBD)
Board submission
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 16
External Stakeholders: Key Themes and Feedback
Emphasis on early Sustained reading and Differentiation for Writing instruction:
fluency: Several reading identity: advanced learners: Desire for explicit
respondents stressed Stakeholders want Families of gifted writing instruction
the importance of students to engage students want assurance across all grades and
achieving fluency by with full texts to build the plan includes content areas, not just
2nd grade as a stamina and a love of enrichment, not just ELA.
prerequisite for reading. intervention.
comprehension work.
Concerns about implementation capacity: Questions about
teacher workload, professional learning timeline, and whether
science of reading methods will truly be implemented with
fidelity.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 17
Stakeholder Priorities: What Matters Most
Reading and
writing across 7%
all subjects
Advanced
learning 10%
opportunities
Support for
struggling 19%
readers
Strong reading
instruction in 62%
early grades
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Early literacy instruction dominates stakeholder priorities at 62%, with intervention support second at 19%.
18
Stakeholder Priorities: What Matters Most
Grade-Level Prioritization When You Think About Support for
If the district could prioritize ONE area, which
Students, What Matters Most?
should come first?
Communication
High school 2%
with families
literacy 7%
(Grades 9–12)
Ongoing progress
2%
Middle school monitoring
literacy 7%
(Grades 6–8) Specialized support
14%
(intervention programs)
Elementary
literacy 17% Small group or
33%
(Grades 3–5) targeted instruction
Early literacy Early identification of
69% 48%
(Pre-K–2) reading struggles
0 10 20 30 40 50
N = 44 0 20 40 60 80
19
Overall Confidence in Literacy Priorities
How confident are you that the literacy policy and plan is focused on the right priorities?
Somewhat Confident +
26%
Not Confident
Neutral 17%
Very Confident +
58%
Confident
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
A majority (58%) express confidence, with 17% neutral and 26% expressing reservations. N = 42
20
Feedback Distribution Pattern
Internal Stakeholders
Most sections rated 3.0+ on a 4-point scale, indicating strong foundation with targeted revisions needed.
Timeline
Prom.
Family
EC
Data
PL
Coaching
MTSS
Monitoring
Screening
Core
Vision
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
1 - Significant revision 2 - Targeted revision 3 - Minor revision 4 - Ready
21
Recurring Themes Across Feedback
Alignment & Structure
Reviewers from Schools & Leadership noted the plan would benefit from clearer articulation of goals and action steps.
Implementation Capacity
Multiple stakeholders raised questions about staffing, timeline feasibility, and organizational capacity to implement at scale
with fidelity.
Division Coordination
Need for clearer delineation of cross-divisional roles and collaboration mechanisms, particularly between Teaching &
Learning, Professional Learning, and Schools & Leadership.
Population Coverage
Several respondents noted students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and gifted students need to be addressed more
consistently across all sections.
22
Plan Strengths
Sections rated 3.2+ on a 4-point scale demonstrate strong foundation
Data Monitoring & Accountability (3.38)
Clear assessment framework and data use protocols are well-articulated and ready for implementation.
Early Childhood & Kindergarten (3.33)
Readiness supports and kindergarten transition processes are comprehensive and aligned with HB 1193.
Family & Community Engagement (3.29)
Engagement strategies reflect realistic and responsive approaches across DCSD's diverse communities.
Universal Literacy Screening (3.24)
Assessment tools, timelines, and decision protocols are clearly defined with appropriate role assignments
23
Recommended Revisions
1 Address high-priority revisions to Core Instruction section and consider structure.
Conduct targeted follow-up with Teaching & Learning, Professional Learning, and Schools & Leadership
2
to clarify cross-divisional coordination mechanisms.
3 Validate implementation timeline against current organizational capacity and staffing models.
Ensure consistent treatment of special populations across all sections (SWD, ELs, gifted learners)
4 through additional review with related department members.
Prepare presentation of plan with revised sections for final review at Teaching & Learning Steering
5
Committee before Board adoption.
24
Work Timeline: Path to Board Adoption
Target: Board Adoption — June 15, 2026
Jan–Mar 2026 Mar–Apr 2026 Apr–May 2026 May–Jan 2027
• Jun 11: Final Updates
to BOE
• Continue stakeholder • Jun 15: Board First
• District Literacy Team
feedback sessions Read ★ Policy &
• Research & Meetings 3-6
• Continue revision Regulation
benchmarking • Stakeholder feedback
• Policy Committee • Literacy Plan
• Draft Policy, Regulation & revision
review implementation begins
& Plan developed • Cross-divisional review
• May 6: SIMBLI @ Summer Leadership
• District Literacy Team & alignment
submission Retreat
Meetings 1-2 • 19 stakeholder groups
• May 12: Agenda • BOE must adopt
provide feedback
Setting Unified Literacy Plan by
Jan 2027 according to
HB1193
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 25
Next Steps
Priority actions following Board adoption — grounded in the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026
Hire 80 QBE Literacy Coaches Launch GaPSC Endorsement Pathway
1 Open positions Spring 2026; hire and onboard 80 QBE-funded K–
3 Literacy Coaches in all elementary schools during July 2026
2 Enroll all QBE Literacy Coaches in GaPSC literacy coaching
endorsement program beginning Fall 2026. Deadline for coaches
preplanning. Schools with 200+ students receive full-time coach. to actively pursue endorsement: December 30, 2026 (HB 1193).
Revise Board Regulation IHE-R(0):
Hire and Train Kindergarten Paraprofessionals
Promotion/Placement/Retention Policy
Hire 118 kindergarten paraprofessionals and provide initial
3 structured literacy training through an external partner before 4 Operationalize first-grade readiness assessment process, and K–1
the 2026–27 school year opens. Ongoing coaching continues retention procedures consistent with HB 1193. 2026–27 Board
throughout the year. adopts amended IHE-R(0) by Fall 2026.
Summer Leadership Conference
5 5 Intentional focus on closing literacy gaps by race, income,
disability, and English learner status — ensuring the plan reaches
every student in every school.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 26
Next Steps
Continuing the work toward June 15, 2026 - first read for the Board of Education.
District Literacy Team Meetings 5–6 will continue draft review and refinement of the Literacy Plan and finalize all
Upcoming Team Meetings:
three documents for Board submission.
Broader stakeholder input will be gathered from principals, teachers, families, and community members to inform
Stakeholder Feedback:
final revisions before Board submission.
Policy Committee Review: The Policy Committee will review final language and accountability structures April 30th before the full Board
votes on adoption on June 15, 2026.
Every student in DeKalb County deserves access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction. This policy
Our Commitment:
work ensures the Board's commitment is clear, coherent, and lasting.
Thank you for your support.
DeKalb County School District | District Literacy Team | Board Presentation 2026 27