To be ready for college and the workforce, Federal Way Public Schools’ scholars need the ability to gather, comprehend, evaluate, synthesize and report on information and ideas.

When many of us were in school, what we called reading and writing is now called literacy. Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen, and is the baseline for success not only in all school subject areas, but also for advancement in life.

In FWPS, literacy is referred to as English Language Arts standards. The goal of the ELA standards are to improve student learning with higher expectations that prepare scholars for college and career.

Achievement in literacy is woven into the very fabric of the FWPS strategic plan, and there are exciting advancements teachers and the district are making to increase student achievement in ELA. Here are some highlights:

High-quality English Language Arts curriculum — Kindergarten through fifth-grade classes are using updated high-quality resources to support literacy achievement of scholars. Grades six through eight will use updated resources in the fall of 2017. High school ELA teachers are meeting to determine which resources they will recommend for use across the core ELA classes.

Personalized literacy-learning plan for scholars — Assessing a student’s individual reading level is key to creating a personalized literacy-learning plan. Kindergarten through eighth-grade classes are using the Independent Reading Level Assessment. The IRLA helps teachers identify each scholar’s reading needs and set a “power goal.” Each ELA kindergarten through eighth-grade classroom recently received a collection of high-interest fiction and non-fiction texts across multiple genres preparing scholars for college and career.

Professional learning for teachers, teacher-specialists, school administrators — More than 650 teachers attended workshops this summer focused on using the updated ELA curriculum. Teacher teams use early-release day time to reflect on scholar achievement, plan and improve instruction. Teachers, instructional coaches and principals continue to receive professional learning support throughout the school year.

How families can help grow their readers

• Every day counts, every scholar matters: students who maintain good attendance through all years of school achieve grade level standards at a higher rate.

• Set aside at least 30 minutes per day for at home reading: Research shows that students who read for one hour a day make almost two years of growth in reading!

• Connect with your local King County Library.

• Students get library cards for free.

• Students have access to the online system, including eBooks, through their Federal Way student login.

• Partner with your child’s teacher to learn more about how you can support your child. Student-led conferences are a great time to learn about what your child is learning and areas they need more support. Families can always call the school and make an appointment to speak with the child’s teacher/s.

• Ask your scholar what he/she is learning, what books he/she is interested in, and what he/she is working on in reading. Encourage your child to be curious about books and what he/she can enjoy and learn from them to become a lifelong reader.

• Do promote deeper comprehension in reading: When reading a book to children, stop and ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”, “Why do you think the character did that?”, and “Where in the book did you hear an example of _______?”

Kassie Swenson is the Federal Way Public Schools chief of communications and strategy.