LaBrae Literacy Enhancing Foundational Skills & Vocabulary

During the 2020-2021 school year, literacy teachers participated in professional development to gain greater understanding of the science behind the development of reading skills.

Additionally, a leadership team of teachers, principals, administrators, and board members, spent the better part of last year vetting literacy resources to assure they aligned to Ohio's learning standards and the science of reading. As a result, LaBrae used a portion of its federal pandemic relief dollars to purchase a new phonics based program called Really Great Reading.

Moreover, LaBrae Local Schools has implemented a universal screener in grades K to 5 to assess student reading abilities. Once students' reading skills are determined, they receive an individualized reading intervention plan in addition to the phonics- based instruction delivered by the teacher to the whole class.

Further, the district created the literacy coach position in an effort to facilitate teaching and learning as a primary initiative to close foundational reading gaps.

Mrs. Glatz, a veteran LaBrae elementary teacher, has now taken on the role of the district’s new literacy coach. She was repositioned as part of the district’s initiative to identify student literacy gaps, assist in implementing research-based practices, and improve student reading, writing, comprehension, vocabulary, and communication skills.

In her new role, Mrs. Glatz works directly with teachers researching best practices, implementing LaBrae's new phonics curriculum, problem solving instructional obstacles, assessing student data, and devising further reading interventions according to a student's learning needs.

While the literacy efforts in grades K to 5 focus on foundational reading skills, the focus is different for higher grade levels. In grades 6-12, the LaBrae literacy plan calls for a focus on vocabulary development. Teachers across all content areas have collaborated on instructional strategies to implement in the classroom designed to increase student vocabulary acquisition.

"We asked ourselves what is best for our students, how do we deliver that and how do we move forward," explained Mrs. Suzelis. Helping LaBrae stay true to this focus throughout the process is its educational partner, the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, or TCESC.

"We asked ourselves what is best for our students, how do we deliver that and how do we move forward."

- Principal Kay Suzelis LaBrae Intermediate School

The TCESC Curriculum and Instruction Department, and LaBrae liaison, Angela Guarnieri, have facilitated the professional development of LaBrae teachers, the investigation and alignment of appropriate resources, and the implementation and monitoring of best practices.

As the literacy efforts unfold, the Curriculum and Instruction Department of the TCESC continues to work closely with LaBrae teachers and administrators to ensure optimal delivery for students.