35j Literacy Grant
In the spring of 2024, Cass City Elementary School became the recipient of the 35j grant from the State of Michigan Department of Education. We were awarded this grant to “improve literacy instructional practices by investing in quality, research-based best practices, and professional learning.” Professional development fosters a culture of collaboration among staff, leading to a more cohesive approach to teaching and supporting students. Through this grant teachers can collaborate and share resources, leading to a richer, more engaging curriculum that meets diverse learning styles and interests.
Also in the spring of 2024, our elementary teaching staff adopted a new literacy series known as MyView. Additional training sessions will be offered for the Pre-K through 5th grade teaching staff in the following research-based programs, instructional strategies, and teaching tools which can be implemented in conjunction with the new literacy series:
-Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) by Lexia Learning
-Brain Friendly Reading by We Shall Read (Kristin Dwyer and Elaine Smith)
-UFLI Foundations by the University of Florida Literacy Institute
-Explicit Instruction by Dr. Anita Archer and Dr. Charles A. Hughes
Professional Development will be provided to paraprofessionals involved with Pre-K through 5th grade reading interventions in the Brain Friendly Reading program as well.
Curriculum & Assessment:
One of the contingencies of the grant is that the district posts the “Pre-K to 5 literacy curriculum and benchmark assessment” that is being used. MyView is linked above and here. The benchmark assessment is linked below.
Overall, this grant will empower teachers with the tools and knowledge they need to create a nurturing and effective learning environment, directly benefiting student growth and success.