Georgia Department of Education Names Two DCSS Schools "Literacy Leaders"
Posted on 10/03/2023
Two Douglas County schools are being recognized for achievement in third-grade reading. Mason Creek Elementary and North Douglas Elementary School are two of 155 schools recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Literacy Leaders.
Fifteen percent or more of Mason Creek and North Douglas Elementary’s 3rd graders improved on the Milestones from the academic year 2021-22 to 2022-23. This accomplishment reflects the Douglas County School System’s commitment to literacy achievement and advancement. As the DCSS Strategic Plan outlines, the district emphasizes college and career readiness. The commitment is exemplified by a continued investment in resources and professional learning opportunities that increase early literacy.
“The district’s commitment to understanding how Lexile calculations are configured, in addition to focusing our attention to the mid-range Lexile target, has had a significant impact on how well students read and comprehend in all content areas,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Chelsie Goodman said. Additionally, she states that “the school system will continue to provide and encourage engaging, thoughtful resources with an increasing emphasis on rigorous texts starting in kindergarten and continuing throughout high school.”
Goodman is proud of the work happening in classrooms across Douglas County. Mason Creek Elementary School Principal Kristin Martin agrees, adding the recognition reflects the hard work of teachers and students. “Throughout the school year, I watched our teachers and students take ownership of their actions and embrace every challenge that came their way,” she states. “Our growth results from their unwavering determination and refusal to make excuses, and I am one proud leader!”
North Douglas Elementary School Principal JaQuan Carter is also committed to continuous improvement and a love for literacy. He expresses gratitude for the recognition, adding, “We are incredibly honored that North Douglas is a Literacy Leader. We are committed to maintaining high academic standards across our school and will continue working to provide the best learning environment for our young readers.”
Selection for Literacy Leaders is based on the Georgia Milestones Reading Status indicator. The indicator is based on the Lexile score associated with students’ performance on a subset of questions on the ELA assessment.