E.C.H.O. CHARTER SCHOOL LITERACY PLAN

E.C.H.O. Charter School Literacy Plan 2023-2024

Local Literacy Plan:

During the 2023-2024 school year, our district will continue the Core Knowledge integrated reading program to teach reading in grades K through 8. Included in this program are components for guided reading, read aloud, shared reading and independent reading. Core Knowledge also incorporates scientifically based reading strategies and interventions and integrates the teaching of reading across the curriculum. To enhance the curriculum, our district has a full K-12 library with a variety of fiction and nonfiction reading materials, covering a wide range of reading levels. Each classroom also has its own reading center where students can enjoy books and other resources selected by their classroom teacher. 

All K-3 students receive classroom reading instruction for a minimum of 90 minutes each day. Relevant technology engages students in meaningful learning activities. The district also uses Accelerated Reader (AR), which is a computerized program that tests basic reading comprehension. Students select books from their reading level, ready independently, and take an independent comprehension test on the computer. Each book is worth a given number of points based on its length and reading level.

All students in Kindergarten are given the Star Early Literacy test for initial screening and progress monitoring throughout the year. Grades 1-8 are given the Star Reading screening/benchmarking assessment three times or more throughout the course of the year in fall, winter, and spring. Using this data, along with data from the MCAs, STAR tests and curriculum-imbedded assessments and interventions are implemented through the collaborative efforts of the classroom teacher and other specialists. Each student’s progress is monitored either weekly or biweekly and if the intervention selected is not working, another intervention is selected and implemented. Students not responding to these interventions are referred for special education evaluation. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress at every step of the process.

The goal of E.C.H.O. Charter School is to ensure that all learners successfully meet the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts (2010) for their grade level. ELA Standards (2020) will be embedded in the 2025-2026 school year. The standards are aligned with the district’s curriculum and a map is in place to ensure that the standards are taught within the time available.