Eyes on ELA was featured in "Spotlight on the Schools" article in the November 28, 2024, E-Edition of The Independent Herald on pages 30-31.
In February of 2024, the Scott County School System teamed with the Elgin Foundation to create the position of Reading Coach for the elementary schools in the system. This new position was meant to focus on k-3 instruction in ELA that would provide help and coaching to the teacher. The goal was and remains to increase test scores for third grade students. However, beyond test scores, the benefits are many.
Amy Jeffers, Ed.D was named as the reading coach for the new position. After serving in the administrative role for nine years she stated, “The change was good for me, and it served to help the teachers master their craft in ELA ultimately creating strong readers county wide.” This was a very different role for Dr. Jeffers, but she is able to remain dedicated to the Scott County School System, their teachers, and their students.
The Elgin Foundation has partnered with Scott County for several years in principal support. The addition of Reading Coach was viewed as a way to directly work with the teachers in the classroom to meet the rigorous third grade retention guidelines. Their goals include creating lifelong learners, to reach rural Appalachia communities, and to boost third grade reading scores. The heart of the Elgin Foundation has been and continues to be the children in which they serve.
Along with The Elgin Foundation, Scott County Schools partners with the East Center of Regional Excellence (East Core), a division of the Tennessee Department of Education to provide training for both the reading coach and the instructional coaches at each school. Bruce Billings is the ELA Consultant that directly assists the coaches with plans and strategies to best incorporate the curriculum and state requirements across the county.
The teachers in the district have eagerly dived into the Science of Reading Curriculum that offers a different approach to their reading instruction. Teachers have dedicated time in training with Reading 360 along with after school PLC’s to better understand the gaps in reading instruction that includes the teaching of the knowledge component.
Two schools in Scott County, Fairview Elementary and Robbins Elementary, piloted the new curriculum five years ago and have seen great success. Bruce Billings noted, “Scott County has seen a 5% increase in ELA achievement since implementing HQIM, with even greater gains at the two schools that implemented it earlier...” He continued to add that with the county wide initiative, it is expected to exceed that success rate. Mr. Billings continues to work with coaches in the district to assist with professional development and support for literacy growth.
The role of Reading Coach is new and exciting for the Scott County Schools as the administration and teachers are ready to work diligently for the students in which they serve.
