Spotlight on Illinois: Schoolwide literacy growth with core phonics instruction
Parsons Elementary School snapshot:
- 500 students
- 9000 district wide (Decatur Public Schools)
- 60% black or multi-racial
- 28% white
- 12% Hispanic/other
- 83% low income
Overview
Holly Davis-Kitson has been the principal at James B. Parsons Elementary School, the largest of five K-5 schools in Illinois’ Decatur Public School District, since 2019. In the middle of her first year as principal, her school shut down completely due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. During the challenging time of remote learning, their student body went from their “normal” enrollment of around 500 students, down to 250 students learning remotely.
Davis-Kitson, who was familiar with 95 Percent Group from her teaching days, began ordering products during the pandemic—but couldn’t fully implement resources until the 2023-24 school year under a pilot program. The district had planned on a slow expansion: they wanted to “do it well” in one site and then expand into more schools—one at a time—until the whole district was onboard. Fast forward to now, and the pilot has been so successful that they are fast-tracking district-wide implementation.
“95 Percent Group is unlike any other group we’ve worked with. The district can see what’s possible now,” Davis-Kitson said. “They see longevity.”
Access the full story now: What you’ll learn
Are you ready for more insights on how Davis-Kitson and her team at Parsons have launched a movement in their district!? Download the full story and learn:
- Why having a core literacy curriculum matters
- The importance of a common language across instructional tiers
- About the growth they saw in just six months and theconfidence that students gained
