Pollio declines to halt reading program changes at JCPS despite group raising concerns
Because of information provided by JCPS, a previous version of this story incorrectly explained the process in which a new reading curriculum will be implemented. Superintendent Marty Pollio does not need board approval to adopt it.
Jefferson County Public School leaders have homed in on a literacy program that will likely be implemented across the district next year, but one community organization is urging district leaders to reconsider the selection.
Hundreds of people showed up at Male High on Monday night for the annual “Nehemiah Action Assembly," hosted by CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together). While multiple topics were discussed, the section of the night regarding JCPS focused on CLOUT's research on literacy programs and the organization's stance that the program favored by the district lacks enough evidence that it will successfully improve its dismal reading scores.
The audience laughed when organizers directed their questions to an empty chair brought on stage, adorned with a sign bearing the name of JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio, who did not attend the event.
Between the Lines: An investigation into why Kentucky's kids can't read
In an op-ed published in The Courier Journal last week, CLOUT leaders Tom Gardner and Jonathan Berkley outlined their issues with the Expeditionary Learning literacy program that JCPS favors and their reasons for instead supporting the Direct Instruction program. Both are rooted in the science of reading but take different approaches.
The organization invited Pollio to the meeting to ask if he would commit to pausing the Expeditionary Learning implementation and to implementing the Direct Instruction model in 15 schools.
The explanation for Pollio's absence, CLOUT leadership said, was that he said he didn't want to come to the meeting and say no to their requests on stage. The organization insinuated it was a surprise Pollio didn't show − repeating that he did not decline his invitation until 4:30 p.m. Monday − but there also was no indication Pollio ever showed agreement with their requests.
The debate over literacy programs in Kentucky's schools has become increasingly controversial in the wake of The Courier Journal's publication of a series, Between the Lines, that investigated why tens of thousands of students across the state, including in Jefferson County, are failing to learn to read.
Less than half - 38% - of JCPS third graders meet the state's bar for reading proficiency, according to the most recent test results. And during the same time frame, a Courier Journal analysis found that on average, third graders at just 22 of 90 JCPS elementary schools scored at or above the national average for reading.
Having strong reading skills by the end of third grade is especially critical, experts say, as students start facing more complex texts and are expected to read independently.
Related:Now is the time to address Kentucky's literacy problems. But will lawmakers act?
Pollio told The Courier Journal on Monday afternoon that a committee has been focused on selecting a new literacy program for the district since April and last year he told The Courier Journal the district's new approach to reading instruction will be backed by science — including the need for direct instruction in phonics.
That committee is comprised of central office staff and teachers, but it doesn't appear teachers have been involved throughout the entire process.
"The (teachers' association) had representatives involved a year ago selecting material for Choice Zone schools and I think that process informed this process, which I believe began shortly after winter break," JCTA President Brent McKim told The Courier Journal on Monday night.
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The committee's recommended program is rooted in the latest reading science, but CLOUT takes concern with "the lack of research that exists on the program’s effectiveness," the organization's op-ed states.
Additionally, CLOUT pointed out that the EL program can require longer planning times for teachers than allowed by their union contract.
"We don’t want our teachers to have another burden placed on them in these challenging times of new school start times, new student assignment plan, teacher shortage, student absenteeism, etc.," the op-ed states.
More:JCPS board to vote Tuesday on proposal to change school start times
Despite these concerns, Pollio intends to move forward with implementing the EL program next year and he will make a presentation to the board during April's meeting, JCPS spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said.
"It really is a good quality balance of all five areas of literacy instruction," Pollio said of the EL program, which received a positive rating from EdReports, a nonprofit focused on reviewing instructional materials.
CLOUT's stance against it and agreeability instead with the Direct Learning program, Pollio said, wasn't brought to his attention until the end of February.
Since, "We have explored and did our due diligence with (that program) but there is not another large district in the U.S. that we could find that uses Direct Instruction across the whole district," Pollio said.
"I have to trust the experts who have hundreds of years of combined experience in this work and the other districts who have seen success with it," Pollio said of why he wants the EL program implemented districtwide.
As far as the length of planning time teachers will have to give to the new program, Pollio argued that "the implementation of new curricula across all elementary and middle schools, would never be easy."
"What we have found in conversations with other districts is that the first year of implementation can be challenging, but after, teachers have really grabbed on to it and feel it is highly successful."
Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: CLOUT calls on JCPS to halt reading program changes, Pollio declines
