Marietta City Schools continues its effort to improve literacy skills by hiring full-time reading specialists.
Marietta City Schools (MCS) prioritizes student literacy by hiring reading specialists for all 1-5th grade classrooms for the next school year. The school board approved the $7 million dollar investment at their meeting on January 26th.
According to a press release from MCS, the new program enhances Marietta’s existing efforts to improve students’ reading skills and recover from learning loss. About two years ago, MCS partnered with multiple education organizations and early learning programs, including the United Way and Atlanta Speech School, to develop literacy skills in young minds.
“This investment shows our school board is committed to every child reaching their fullest reading potential by third grade,” said Board Chair Kerry Minervini. “We believe this innovative and aggressive approach to literacy and learning loss will positively impact every teacher and student in each elementary classroom in Marietta.”
Marietta will hire 40 trained reading specialists to help children who are reading below their grade level. Specialists will provide instruction during the reading block in a 1:10 instructor-student ratio.
Teachers and coaches providing reading instruction will receive a one-time $5,000 bonus. Educators wishing to become reading specialists must complete training modules, including reading and dyslexia endorsements, Science of Reading modules, and Orton-Gillingham certifications before qualifying.
Superintendent Grant Rivera said Marietta has a moral responsibility to change the educational path for children at MCS and uphold new standards to invest in teachers and literacy.
The county will hold a job fair on Monday, February 6th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for new and existing educators who want to become qualified reading specialists for the county.