A Mistake Leaders Make When Developing Literacy Goals (and what to do instead)

Let's celebrate the whole reader/writer instead of only measuring reading and writing.

Up until recently, I have conflated literacy outcomes with achievement.

For example, in my first year as a head principal, we set a writing goal of 10% growth from fall to spring. It felt validating to hit our mark in May.

Looking back, we only knew half the story of our students' successes.

We measured writing but did not learn about our students as writers.

Knowing our students as readers, writers, thinkers, and communicators is the other half of the literacy curriculum.

Schools often teach our students for today. "Have they shown proficiency in a grade level standard?" for example. But how does this skill transfer to developing a lifelong literate individual? Students' affinities for and engagement in reading for pleasure and writing with purpose will ensure they carry these skills and strategies beyond school.

Next are three steps on how to rethink out literacy goals in school.

#1. Ensure goals are authentic and show transfer.

A student reaching a Letter S does not guarantee they are a proficient reader.

Instead of only benchmarking, consider a mastery goal such as being able to read a complex text from the classroom library with accuracy and understanding.

#2. Offer a progression toward excellence.

If students cannot reach mastery for their grade level right now, what can they do?

Consider a less demanding milestone toward a goal so the student can see they are progressing. For example, celebrate comprehension after a shared reading even if decoding is not there yet.

#3. Diversify your data.

The reason why a student is not yet a successful reader or writer may not be limited to reading and writing skills. Have they experienced trauma? Is their attendance poor? These factors can impact academic progress.

When our goal becomes about celebrating the whole reader/writer instead of only measuring reading and writing, we can truly validate our efforts.

This article was originally published here. Learn more about setting better school goals in my new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H., available next week!