Lake Wales board reviews and approves district evidence‑based reading plan for 2025–26

The Lake Wales Charter Schools Board on Aug. 12 approved the district comprehensive evidence‑based reading plan for the 2025–26 school year, a systemwide framework principals and curriculum staff said is grounded in the science of reading.

The plan’s purpose: At the work session Kim Griffiths explained the statutory basis: “So it's for a requirement, under Florida, State Statue 6 a dash 6.053.” The plan identifies core curricula, assessments and intervention protocols for grades preK–12 and ties implementation to the district’s multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS).

Why it matters: Administrators said consistent implementation of evidence‑based literacy practices across all seven schools aims to identify and remediate reading deficiencies early and to support teacher professional development.

Key elements: District staff described core programs and supports. Elementary core curriculum includes Wonders and Treasures; secondary core options include CommonLit for grades 6–12 and additional high‑school materials. Supplemental and intervention tools named in the packet include the University of Florida UFLY program, i‑Ready, Accelerated Reader (AR), Orton‑Gillingham interventions and formative assessments such as STAR and FAST. The plan requires a daily, uninterrupted 90‑minute elementary reading block with systematic phonics and explicit instruction in vocabulary and comprehension.

Staff and trustees emphasized system supports. The plan provides procedures for pre‑K progress monitoring (PM1/PM2/PM3), third‑grade promotion and “good‑cause” exemptions, summer reading camps, family notifications when a student has a substantial reading deficiency, and progress monitoring to group students for targeted interventions.

Principals helped craft the plan: Presenters said principals supplied school‑level data and implementation details on tiered interventions and professional development priorities. The packet also includes an annual reflection process; staff said principals met at year end to share lessons learned and that the district will analyze both last year’s reflections and this year’s formative data to make midyear adjustments.

Funding and accountability: The presentation noted a need for more literacy coaches and additional professional development funding. The district will submit the approved plan to Polk County and the Florida Department of Education for review and acceptance where required.

Trustees and community connections: Trustee Thompson suggested involving the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce and a nonprofit called the Third Grade Reading Campaign to broaden community support and possible recruitment for literacy coaches; staff agreed to pursue outreach.

Board action and next steps: The board approved the plan by voice vote during the regular meeting, and staff will proceed with the FLDOE submission and ongoing fidelity monitoring.