At their September 15th meeting, the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario provided Trustees with an Early Literacy Update highlighting system-wide efforts to improve student reading outcomes. Angie McNamee, Principal of Special Education, and Andrea Blaine, Early Literacy Consultant, outlined the Board’s evidence-based approach, grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with the Multi-Year Strategic Plan’s focus on student achievement and well-being.
The Board has implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) in early literacy, with Tier 1 classroom instruction reaching roughly 80 per cent of students, and Tiers 2 and 3 offering targeted interventions for those requiring additional support. The Acadience Reading Screener, administered to all Year 2 Kindergarten through Grade 2 students, provides critical data to guide instruction.
Reading Intervention Teachers have played a key role in screenings, modeling structured literacy lessons, and leading professional development. Initiatives such as “Walk to Read” have demonstrated measurable improvements in student reading fluency and engagement. Plans for 2025–2026 include expanding specialized roles, enhancing digital tools, and extending programs like Empower Reading to further support foundational literacy for all learners.
(By: Tim Baltz)