Today, the Early Literacy Task Force, led by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), released its report, Recommendations for Structured Literacy Instruction in the District of Columbia. The report is the culmination of 10 months of work by representatives from the DC Council, OSSE, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME), the DC State Board of Education, District of Columbia Public Schools, the DC Public Charter School Board, and public and public charter schools.

“This report lays the groundwork for improving literacy instruction for all DC public and public charter school students for years to come,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “Ensuring DC students have strong literacy skills requires unwavering commitment and deep investments in our educators and implementing these recommendations will deliver on both fronts. Thank you to the task force members who have championed this work.”

The task force has brought forth creative, evidence-based solutions to on-the-job supports, including an innovative pilot coaching program and the development of a tool that will enable regular feedback for structured literacy classroom instruction.

• Task force recommendations focus on evidence-based solutions and on-the-job supports across four main areas:
• Strengthening literacy instruction by mandating competency in structured literacy instruction for all grade K-5 general education teachers, K-5 reading specialists and interventionalists, K-5 English learner teachers, and K-12 special education teachers.
• Requiring specialized structured literacy training for school-based administrators who are responsible for evaluating or supporting K-5 teachers and instructional coaches working in public elementary schools across DC Public Schools and DC public charter schools.
• Providing on-the-job support to educators working in public elementary schools, including through the development of a structured literacy tool and establishing a direct coaching support pilot program.
• Collecting and publishing the English language arts instructional materials that local education agencies are using in DC’s schools and publish a list of high-quality instructional materials rooted in the science of reading.

OSSE has also committed approximately $16.8 million to fund high-impact tutoring in literacy for approximately 7,600 students, and is currently on track to reach a total of more than 13,000 students across both math and literacy by fall 2024. High-impact tutoring programs are one of the most effective ways to accelerate learning for students from low-income backgrounds.

“The Literacy Task Force’s recommendations are evidence-based and synchronized across every education agency,” said Allister Chang, Ward 2 representative on the DC State Board of Education and Literacy Task Force member. “We are strongest when we work together, and DC is united in its efforts to catalyze literacy learning for all of our students.”

The recommendations outlined in this report will require collaboration among many DC stakeholders, including educational leaders, teachers, and legislators, to be effectively implemented.

“The strong recommendations for structured literacy instruction yielded by this task force are a direct reflection of strong alignment between Council, the DC State Board of Education, the DME, and our agencies,” said Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education. “As we work toward implementation, our collaboration will continue to bring forth what’s best for our students.”

On Friday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m., OSSE will host a moderated in-person live discussion highlighting the recommendations of the report. The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN) or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or Twitter.

Expected guest panelists include:

• Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education
• Dr. Christina Grant, State Superintendent of Education, OSSE
• Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor, DC Public Schools
• Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director, DC Public Charter School Board
• Allister Chang, Ward 2 Representative, DC State Board of Education
• Jenelle Bryant, Literacy Coach and Reading Interventionist, DC Public Schools

To read the full report and detailed descriptions of the task force’s recommendations, visit OSSE’s website.