Unlocking Reading Potential: How Charleston Schools Are Closing the Literacy Gap

In Charleston County, a new teaching method is making waves. Orton-Gillingham, a structured, multisensory approach to literacy, is helping students who struggled with reading. This method is not just for kids with dyslexia. It benefits all learners by focusing on phonics and how letters and sounds connect. Students engage with the material by seeing, hearing, saying, and touching, making learning more interactive and effective. Teacher training has been key to this success. Elizabeth Jacobs, an assistant principal at Jennie Moore Elementary School, saw firsthand how this method transformed her teaching. As a former kindergarten teacher, she struggled to help some students read. After training in Orton-Gillingham, she saw a significant change. The method took the guesswork out of teaching literacy, and the results were clear. Jacobs now sees the benefits in her role as assistant principal, watching students thrive. The Orton-Gillingham Approach was once considered elite and expensive. It was only available to families who could afford private education. However, the Lowcountry Literacy Project is changing that. By training public school teachers, they are making this gold-standard method accessible to all students. Lindsey Ballenger, the executive director of the Lowcountry Literacy Project, emphasizes the importance of this shift. It levels the playing field, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn to read effectively.Data from the 2023/2024 school year shows impressive results. In classrooms where teachers were trained in this approach, student literacy growth was 72% greater than in non-OG classrooms. One hundred teachers in the Charleston County School District have been trained, bridging the gap between theory and practical application. Anita Huggins, the superintendent of schools, highlights the crucial role of teachers in this success. By developing teachers' understanding of the science of reading, they are making a real difference for children. The impact is evident in the narrowing achievement gaps. Over two consecutive years, data from James B. Edwards and Jennie Moore Elementary Schools showed significant improvements. Classrooms with Orton-Gillingham instruction outpaced those without, both years. The literacy gap between Black and White students decreased by 42%. For Hispanic and White students, it went down by 40%. Multilingual Learners and White students saw a 38% reduction in the gap. Ballenger shared that in one partner school, a third-grade pilot program more than doubled the number of students reading at or above grade level in just one year. The goal is to implement this method early on, preventing students from falling behind. By focusing on core instruction, they are reducing the number of students who need intervention. The district is considering expanding this approach. Huggins believes there is great promise ahead as they monitor the impact on student growth. Jacobs agrees, stating that every child in Charleston County would benefit from having a teacher trained in this method. The Lowcountry Literacy Project is hosting a documentary and panel at the Charleston Music Hall on January 20. The event will focus on the project's beginnings and its impact on schools. Doors open at 5 p. m. , and the program starts at 6 p. m.