11/07/24
A Successful Start: Emerson Early Literacy Challenge Kicks Off
The Emerson Early Literacy Challenge officially kicked off with a day full of energy, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving literacy outcomes for St. Louis students. Representatives from Atlas Public School, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary in the School District of University City, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School in the Ferguson- Florissant School District gathered to begin their two-year journey, focused on closing the third-grade reading proficiency gap through evidence-based practices.
The event set the tone for the challenging yet rewarding path ahead as school leaders and educators engaged in deep discussions, collaborated with literacy experts, and began laying the groundwork for their literacy plans.
“It’s not every day that we get to step out of the school building as a team and focus solely on literacy,” said David Murray, Chief Academic Officer for the Ferguson-Florissant School District, “Being selected for this challenge feels like validation that we’re on the right track and doing something unique. We have a big goal ahead, and this was a great first step.”
We could see some significant gains from building this solid foundation for our early learners. We know if they leave our building with this solid base and are on grade level, then the sky’s the limit, and this is where it starts.
Jodi Huber, Assistant Principal at Premier Charter School.
“It was amazing to connect with other educators across St. Louis and see how inclusive this program is,” said For Maria McWilliams, Multilingual Specialist at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary. “As someone who works with multilingual students, I appreciated how this challenge takes into account students’ backgrounds and cultures when addressing literacy.”
“What stood out the most was the collaboration with other schools in the area. This isn’t just about a system or a curriculum—it’s about actually moving the needle in literacy for our students,” said Stephanie Martin, Principal of Commons Lane Primary School.
She added that one of her biggest takeaways was the need to engage all stakeholders, including families and the broader community, in the literacy movement. “We have to make sure everyone is on board with what we’re doing and where we’re headed.”
The teams spent the day reviewing literacy data from across St. Louis, discussing their goals and next steps, and setting the stage for what’s to come. Over the next few months, they’ll receive one-on-one coaching, participate in learning events, and work closely with literacy experts to develop their tailored literacy plans. Each school is driven by a sense of purpose, knowing that they’re contributing to a larger effort to transform literacy outcomes in St. Louis.
“We know there’s a lot of work ahead, but today helped us refine our vision and set a clear path forward,” Murray said.” We’re aiming to dramatically raise our proficiency scores at Commons Lane, and this challenge gives us the structure and support to make it happen.”
“For me, success means reaching our goal of 90% of our students leaving second grade on grade level, ready to move from learning to read to reading to learn in third grade,” Martin said.
The Emerson Early Literacy Challenge kickoff marks the first step in a journey that will unfold over the next two years, with these schools serving as proof points for what’s possible when dedicated support, collaboration, and a clear vision come together. The Opportunity Trust and Emerson are committed to supporting this effort, and we’re excited to follow along as these schools work to create lasting change for their students.
Stay tuned for more updates as Atlas Public School, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School continue on their path toward literacy success.