Behind every percentage, test score, and statistic lies not just a number, but a child with unique dreams, challenges, and potential waiting to be unlocked. When we celebrate a 5% increase in literacy scores, we're witnessing dozens of children discovering the magic in books for the first time. When attendance rises, we're seeing students who have found a classroom where they feel valued, safe, and excited to learn.
Each data point tells a deeper individual human story- perhaps of the shy kindergartener who finally raised his hand, or the striving reader who conquered her very first chapter book, or the middle schooler who found confidence after intensive literacy support to read aloud with pride.
As we analyze charts and spreadsheets, let's commit to seeing the human faces behind the figures. Every data point represents a child's educational journey—their obstacles overcome, their breakthroughs celebrated, and the doors of opportunity that have opened for their future. This is the true measure of our work.
120+
ECE Classrooms Across 65 Locations
Including 15+ Latchkey programs - All achieving Gold Status in the Step Up To Quality Rating System
4.5+
English Language Learners Excellence
Our ELL students more than doubled state growth expectations (4.5+ vs. state target of 2.0) in both English Language Arts and Mathematics
15+%
Third Grade Reading Growth
Demonstrated remarkable progress in literacy foundations, with third-grade reading proficiency increasing by over 15% in just three years
The CCS Literacy Success Story: Transforming Education
Columbus City Schools has implemented a comprehensive literacy initiative that's revolutionizing the educational landscape for our students. Through strategic investments in evidence-based programs, innovative teaching methodologies, and our team of passionate educators, we've cultivated an environment where literacy thrives.
Our multifaceted approach integrates scientifically proven instructional practices, personalized interventions for striving readers, and continuous professional development for teachers—ensuring every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to develop into a confident, capable, and enthusiastic reader.
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The results speak for themselves! We've witnessed substantial improvements in proficiency scores across grade levels, significantly narrowed achievement gaps between demographic groups, and produced students who demonstrate enhanced critical thinking and academic success across all subject areas. Our literacy transformation story exemplifies what becomes possible when an entire district commits to educational excellence and refuses to accept anything less than the highest standards for our children's futures.
English Language Arts (ELA): Grades 3-5
Celebrating Double-Digit Growth Achievement!
Our students have demonstrated remarkable and consistent improvement in English Language Arts proficiency over the past two years, setting new benchmarks for academic excellence:
3rd Grade Growth
ELA proficiency soared impressively from 23% to 33.5%, building strong foundations for our youngest learners
4th Grade Growth
ELA proficiency leaped forward from 25.4% to 36.8%, demonstrating sustained momentum in literacy development
5th Grade Growth
ELA proficiency surged dramatically from 35.6% to 48.2%, approaching the milestone of half our students achieving proficiency
These exceptional gains highlight the transformative impact of our targeted literacy strategies and reflect our educators' unwavering dedication to cultivating strong reading and writing skills across all elementary grade levels.
Comprehensive Summary of ELA Achievements (2-Year Period)
Grades 3–8 Performance Highlights
English Learners (ELs): Closing Achievement Gaps
Significant EL Achievement
English Learners have demonstrated exceptional academic growth in the Gap Closing component of the CCS report card, reflecting our sustained commitment to inclusive and equitable education for all students.
Distinguished District Performance
Columbus City Schools (CCS) consistently maintains a prestigious 3+ star rating district-wide in the Gap Closing component specifically for English Learners, substantially exceeding state performance expectations.
Elementary Excellence
Nearly 6 out of 10 (58%) of elementary schools (43 of 75) have earned 3+ star ratings in the Gap Closing component for English Learners, establishing a robust foundation for multilingual academic success from an early age.
High School Advancement
One-third of high schools have achieved distinguished 3+ star ratings for English Learners, underscoring our comprehensive approach to supporting multilingual students throughout their educational journey toward graduation and beyond.
Early Childhood Education: Pandemic-Era Success Story
While educational systems worldwide faced unprecedented challenges, yet our youngest learners demonstrated remarkable resilience and academic growth:
Rapid Digital Transition
Designed and implemented a comprehensive remote Pre-K learning platform within 30 days of employment, ensuring continuous high-quality education at the onset of the 2020-2021 school year
Mathematical Foundation Building
Effectively prevented potential learning gaps in Kindergarten mathematics through an innovative family-centered engagement program that transformed parents into essential educational partners
Literacy Achievement Gains
Secured a noteworthy 2% improvement in Kindergarten literacy scores during 2020-2021, in stark contrast to the national average decline of 6%observed during the same challenging period
Our Pandemic Learning Journey: From Challenge to Triumph
Unprecedented Challenges
The sudden shift to remote learning presented extraordinary educational obstacles, creating widespread learning disruptions for students across the nation
Strategic Adaptation
Executed targeted family engagement initiatives, customized educational support systems, and cutting-edge digital resources to effectively overcome learning barriers
Measurable Success
Achieved academic progress in both mathematics and literacy, countering national downward trends and showcasing our district's educational resilience and innovation
Transforming School Literacy: The Story Of A Remarkable Turnaround
Whitehall City Schools Success Story
Failing to Proficient
K-3 Literacy Rating
Unprecedented improvement through targeted, research-based interventions- increasing from an F to a B in three years (Kae) and at Beechwood from an F to a C in one year (Beechwood)
70%
On-Track Status (90% of students identified
as not ready in K)
Striving kindergartners successfully bridged the literacy gap by first grade through our comprehensive support system at Kae Avenue Early Literacy Campus
State K-3 Literacy Rating
From an F to proficiency at two schools in 4 years of principalship
Instructional Methods
Research-validated methods
Intervention Strategies
Data-driven strategies
Professional Development
Collaborative development
Progress Monitoring
Enhanced proficiency levels
Comprehensive Approach
Small-group instruction, family partnerships, progress monitoring
District-Level Teacher Leadership
Columbus City Schools
This comprehensive literacy initiative transcends individual classrooms, harnessing strategic leadership and research-validated methodologies to catalyze system-wide transformation with quantifiable outcomes:
1
Third Grade Reading Guarantee Success
As a core contributor to the District Literacy Team, we dramatically increased 3rd grade promotion rates from 42% to 89% by implementing precisely targeted interventions and mobilizing robust community support networks during the inaugural year of Ohio's reading mandate.
2
Elementary Reading Coordination
Upon advancement to Lead District Reading Coordinator, I architected a sustainable framework, obtaining 90% district promotion rate the following year. Through strategic instructional coaching and data-driven Professional Learning Communities, we established collective efficiency and overcame extreme obstacles.
3
Sustainable Framework Development
We established an enduring literacy infrastructure achieving 91+% promotion rates through evidence-based professional development, differentiated coaching protocols, and systematic progress monitoring during my culminating year as District Lead Reading Coordinator.