Amplify

What the Legislation Says:

This memorandum details the SBE's selection of Amplify as the K-3 RtA Diagnostic Tool beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. It is important to note that districts must use the SBE approved reading formative/diagnostic next year, which is Amplify, for the K-3 reading assessment as outlined in legislation. Amplify is the only data the state will collect for official statewide comparison and EVAAS. The process for using an alternative assessment for use as a good cause exemption for third-grade students remains the same for the upcoming school year. Approved alternate assessments are options as an alternative opportunity for a pathway to proficiency as outlined in legislation. View the full presentation here. 

Superintendent Truitt provided an update that focused on early literacy and highlighted the work done by Onslow County Schools with LETRS and the Science of Reading.  Video overview of LETRS and the Science of Reading.

NHCS Update:

• MClass Dibels and TRC are the state approved K-3 Reading Diagnostic for the 2021-2022 school year. Details and dates about training are forthcoming.  

  • All educators (teachers, coaches, Administrators) will have access to a self-paced online course to develop the general knowledge they need to implement MClass (Dibels and TRC).  

  • Members of the Instructional Team will complete a training in June or July to effectively and efficiently train all teachers prior to the start of the school year 

  • All K-3 students will be assessed 3 times a year using mClass Dibels and TRC.  Benchmark windows will be shared soon. 

• LETRS: Science of Reading Training: 

  • LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) will be the professional learning provided to PreK-5 teachers to support the Science of Reading.  LETRS provides teachers with the skills they need to master the fundamentals of reading instruction-phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and language.  

  • Professional learning cohorts have been created by DPI.  NHCS will participate in Cohort 1: Summer 2021-Spring 2023.  

    • Educators will begin in the summer of 2021 by completing the online portion of Unit 1, approximately an 8-hour time commitment.  At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, educators will complete the Unit 1 Bridge to Practice Activities in their classroom with their students before moving forward to the next units.  

    • Information about PD dates are forthcoming from DPI

    • VIDEO: Click here to learn about LETRS

    • VIDEO: Click here to learn about Onslow County’s Journey with the Science of Reading

  • Read the Science of Reading and K-3 Diagnostic memo from DPI