Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg School January 2105 | Page 4

CMS deputy Superintendent, Ann Clark
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said
that “The ultimate measure of a man
is not where he stands in moments
of comfort and convenience, but
where he stands at times of challenge
and controversy.” That axiom
applies to school districts as well. As
deputy superintendent of CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, I want to share
an update with you about the district.
The most important thing is that
teaching and learning have not been
disrupted or altered by the change
in leadership. Our schools have not
missed a step and neither have our
students – and that will not change.
But the challenge inherent in a
change at the top has presented our district with an opportunity, too. An old
Russian proverb says, “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either
one.” It’s an apt reminder that we must set our focus on what is important –
the one most important thing – and keep it there.
For CMS, that one most important thing is literacy in every grade.
Literacy is a specific goal and a substantial one. It encompasses reading,
writing, speaking and listening. At a recent meeting of principals and district
leadership, I reminded them of the importance of literacy for all students
by the fourth grade. It’s essential that our students enter fourth grade at or
above grade level in reading.
Why does it matter so much? Because starting in fourth grade, we expect
students to be able to read to learn. From kindergarten through third grade,
students are learning to read. After that, reading – literacy – becomes a tool
for learning.

Literacy is the most essential tool our students have. If they struggle with
reading, they will struggle with everything else, too. But if they can read well,
they are positioned for success all the way to graduation from high school.
Ensuring that all students are literate by the start of fourth grade is
the focus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. But we are not alone in this
campaign. We have many partners who are working with us to get all
students reading on or above grade level by fourth grade. We have partnered
with the Augustine Literacy Project, Building Educated Leaders for Life
(BELL), the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library, Freedom Schools (which
run during the summer), Teach For America and Y Readers.
These partnerships strengthen the teaching of literacy in our schools.
They also provide support when students are not in school – after school
ends, during breaks and vacations, and at home. Our partners provide books,
reading assistance and structured opportunities to practice literacy skills.
We also work to build strong partnerships with our families. Family
support for learning in general, and for lite Ʌ