What we know: At WUSD, we have looked at our literacy data, recognized a need for change, and are actively working toward developing more successful readers.

Where are we?: We are gaining a collective understanding of structured literacy and the Science of Reading, and with support, aligning our practices and curriculum with these research-proven methods.

Where are we going?: Starting in the 2022-2023 school year, with the support of the WUSD School Board, WUSD literacy coaches, school leaders, teachers, and administrators put into effect the following steps:

Partner with outcome-driven SchoolsCubed for consulting and training in structured literacy and the Science of Reading
Implement in-house literacy coaches at each site to support staff in gathering and analyzing data and lead structured literacy instructional conversations alongside leadership, and
Replace unaligned literacy curricular, intervention, and assessment tools with instructional tools that support the Science of Reading. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the aligned tools for implementation include:
1. Heggerty at all elementary sites PK-5
2. DIBELS 8 & Lectura at all elementary sites K-5
3. UFLI or SuperKids at all elementary sites K-2
4. Spelling Mastery at all elementary sites 3-5
5. Sound Partners intervention available at all sites Grade 1
6. SIPPS intervention available at all sites K-5
Establish an Elementary Literacy Curriculum Review Committee to review and identify Science of Reading aligned curricula in order to conduct a district-wide elementary literacy pilot in the 2023-2024 school year. With WUSD elementary staff, determine an aligned literacy curriculum to implement district-wide in the 2024-2025 school year.
Commit to learning about structured literacy, explicit and direct instruction, and supporting students’ learning by implementing research-based instructional strategies at elementary and secondary levels.

Whitewater Unified School District