Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has launched the APS Literacy Council, a new initiative bringing together literacy experts from across the metro area.
This council is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of literacy education within APS, providing guidance and expertise as they help to co-design an innovative early-learning school model that accelerates early literacy for students across the district.
According to a press release, the council is composed of educators, researchers, and community leaders. It will work collaboratively to identify essential components of a high-quality early literacy ecosystem, develop recommendations for a transformative school model in the Science of Reading, and support the district in implementing programs that drive measurable improvement in student outcomes.
Some of the participating organizations include:
- United Way of Greater Atlanta
- Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive (PAACT)
- Easterseals North Georgia
- Junior League of Atlanta
- Georgia State University
- Atlanta Early Education Ambassadors
- Black Child Development Institute (BCDI)
- The Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation
- The Goizueta Foundation
“For more than a decade approximately only one-third of Atlanta’s children have been proficient in the area of literacy. Although this number mirrors state and national averages, we are Atlanta’s public schools and alongside our community of believers we know we can ensure our students are better positioned to succeed,” APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said in statement. “Simply stated, there is a direct correlation between literacy proficiency and the probability of future success beyond K-12. This is the most important area we must address as a community and are committed to moving with urgency.”
The council held its first meeting in early December and will gather regularly throughout this school year and beyond, working together until an innovative new school model is fully shaped and brought to life.
“The formation of the APS Literacy Council demonstrates our unwavering commitment to improving literacy for every child in our district,” Dr. Shavaun Mincey, APS Executive Director Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, said in statement. “By convening some of the best minds in literacy education, we are ensuring that our strategies are informed by research and best practices, and that our students have every opportunity to succeed.”
