To improve reading outcomes for students across Alabama, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Literacy Act, which became law on June 10, 2019.

This legislation extends comprehensive information and other guidance for educators to focus concentrated and systematic efforts to improve the reading skills of all public-school students in early literacy so that every student is reading at or above grade level by the end of the third grade.

Any student in kindergarten through third grade with an identified reading deficiency would be required to have a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP). A consistent deficiency in any of the following areas determines a reading deficit:

• letter naming fluency

• letter sound fluency

• nonsense word fluency

• sight words

• oral reading accuracy and fluency

• vocabulary or comprehension

Additional requirements of the law include:

• Assessment of early literacy skills three times during the school year. Huntsville City School uses DIBELS 8th Edition. DIBELS 8th Edition is a universal screener that measures the development of reading skills of all students in grades K-3 through the assessment: Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)

• Parental notification within 15 days of identification of a reading deficiency

• Individualized supplemental reading intervention using the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework

• Monthly parent letters showing student's progress

• Strategies and resources for parents to use at home

• After or before school tutoring

• Summer reading camp

A diagnostic assessment is given to the child based on specific needs; teachers will provide intensive reading instruction and interventions for that child. The goals, explicit instruction, and targeted interventions will be documented in the student's Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP) and monitored monthly to determine successes and areas of improvement. Once a deficiency is identified, teachers are required to notify parents/legal guardians. Huntsville City Schools, school-based Problem-Solving Teams (PST) welcome and encourage parents/legal guardians to be involved in the development of the Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP).

Use the links below to learn more about the Alabama Literacy Act and how you can assist your child/children at home.

Please note: the links below refer to documents on the ALSDE website and are not verified for Section 508 Accessibility standards by HCS