Agenda Item
4. SECOND READ: Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: New Board Policy: IB: Instructional Program Goals and Objectives
Summary: Presented by: Mr. H. Eric Hilton, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education accept the proposed Board Policy IB: Instructional Program Goals and Objectives lay on the table as a second read at the July 13, 2026, board meeting and be considered for adoption at a future board meeting.
Why: Board Policy IB: Instructional Program Goals and Objectives, is proposed to establish a consistent, evidence-based approach to literacy across all grade levels. It reinforces literacy as essential to student success, promotes shared accountability, and directs the establishment of a unified district plan to guide instruction, assessment, and supports.
Details: Board Policy IB: Instructional Program Goals and Objectives.
The proposed policy establishes a district-wide, coherent, and evidence-based approach to literacy instruction aligned to state standards, applicable law, and evidence-based practices across all schools and grade levels, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The policy affirms that literacy is foundational to academic achievement and postsecondary success, and that literacy achievement is a shared responsibility across the District. The proposed policy directs the Superintendent to establish and maintain a Unified District Literacy Plan with defined expectations for instruction, assessment, and supports, and adds a glossary to clarify key terms. The Policy Committee reviewed the proposed revisions and recommended placing this policy on today's agenda as a Second Read.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact
Contact: Mr. H. Eric Hilton, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Services
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy IB: Instructional Program Goals and Objectives Status: DRAFT
Original Adopted Date: Pending
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy sets the vision and expectations for literacy instruction across all schools and grade levels, Pre-
Kindergarten through Grade 12. It affirms the District's commitment to high-quality literacy instruction aligned to
state standards, applicable law, and evidence-based practices.
BOARD AFFIRMATION
The DeKalb County School District 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, Pre-Kindergarten through
Grade 12. Literacy achievement is a shared responsibility across the District and remains essential to ensuring every
student is equipped for meaningful learning, broadened opportunities, and long-term success.
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.
UNIFIED DISTRICT LITERACY PLAN
The board directs the Superintendent to establish and maintain a Unified District Literacy Plan that will include, but
not be limited to, the following components:
PreK–12 Literacy Expectations. Clearly defined grade-level literacy expectations, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade
12, grounded in explicit, systematic, diagnostic and cumulative instruction aligned to evidence-based practices.
Writing. Explicit writing instruction across all disciplines that develops students' ability to communicate clearly and
purposefully.
Assessment. Ongoing assessment of student literacy development, including universal literacy screening (K-3), to
monitor progress and ensure accountability for student outcomes across all grade levels.
Evidence-Based Instruction. Instructional practices that promote text engagement, comprehension, critical thinking,
and affirm students' linguistic and cultural identities.
Targeted Supports. Targeted instructional supports that address identified literacy needs, reduce the risk of students
performing below grade-level expectations, and extend learning for students who have met or exceeded standards.
BOARD OVERSIGHT
The board will 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.