Loss of learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic led the Trenton R-9 Board of Education to approve a temporary fifth grade reading interventionist position during a special meeting held Thursday morning.
Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott told the board that the number of current Rissler Elementary School third and fourth grade students who are receiving Title I reading services has caused concern that as those students transition to the fifth grade at Trenton Middle School they will struggle with reading without the targeted interventions they are currently receiving. Gott said there are 26 fourth grade students currently receiving the Title services (the “normal” number would be around 10) and there is a fear that the growth they are making will stop if a “bridge” is not put in place to address the issue.
Gott and Instructional Coach Dr. Jill Watkins said the issue has come about because these students, who were in lower elementary when classes were disrupted due to COVID-19, didn’t learn the decoding strategies needed to learn to read. As they move into the upper grades and should be “reading to learn” those students will find it difficult to do so. It was stressed that this situation was not caused by poor instruction at the lower elementary level and is something that is being seen across the country.
The position, which was approved 6-1 with Andy Burress absent, is expected to be temporary, possibly for two years, and its need will be re-evaluated as needed.
The board held a closed session to discuss personnel, including the hiring of a middle school assistant principal and accepting resignations. That information was not available as of press time on Thursday and will be released Friday and appear on the Republican-Times website and in Tuesday’s paper.
The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.
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