Feb. 24, 2024 11:45a
(WGTD)---In a bid to improve reading scores, Kenosha Unified administration is proposing a realignment of staff at the elementary level. The proposal will be discussed at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
The plan is to eliminate eight library media teacher- positions and create an equal number of what are called “reading interventionists.”
The problem is two-fold. First, money for 20 reading specialists is being eliminated by the phasing out of federal COVID relief dollars. Also, the district notes that two-thirds of KUSD K-through 5th graders score beneath the proficient or advanced levels on standardized reading tests.
The new plan would result in a total number of 16 reading interventionists operating at the elementary level.
Even with the reshuffling, that’s 10 fewer than what’s currently the case.
The district hopes to soften the blow to the library media teachers whose jobs are targeted through retirements and reassignments.
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