The district said the specialists will be held accountable for one thing — whether kids can read on grade level.
DOTHAN, Ala. - The Dothan City School Board voted unanimously to hire five internal literacy specialists after months of contentious meetings over how to address student reading scores.
Six out of ten Dothan students can’t read at grade level, according to outside academic consultant Kendra Dawalt. The findings fueled debate on whether to hire outside counsel or internal support to turn scores around. Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew’s initial proposal was to hire outside counsel, which would have cost around $600,000, according to board members. That plan was rejected.
Months later, the board decided to move forward with hiring five internal turnaround literacy specialists. The decision will cost $25,000 more than the initial plan and will be funded through federal Title II funds.
“It’s very similar to Audi and BMW. In the initial proposal, we would have contracted the service out. And this proposal, which the board did approve, these will be our employees. So they’ll be on the ground every day with our students,” Askew said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median for the closest comparable role is just over $74,000 with similar job requirements. The district said it set the six-figure salary for the new positions based on “a survey of literacy coach salaries across the Southeast. ” That survey has not been provided.
“Considering our need and then also needing to be competitive as well here in Dothan to bring the best talent...we’re looking to fill those positions ASAP,” Askew said. “Being a parent and seeing my friends’ kids, even my kids struggling sometimes with literacy and comprehension, as a parent, it makes me want to know what I can do more. So, I love the fact that when Dr. Askew came in, that was one of his primary plans,” Armstrong said.
The district said the specialists will be held accountable for one thing — whether kids can read on grade level.
“I really hope that they’re able to make a turnaround because this is our future generation. These are our doctors, our lawyers, our pediatricians, our judges,” Armstrong said. Askew said once the positions are filled, the district will track student reading data throughout the year, including standardized test scores. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published.
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Dothan City Schools Literacy Plan Dr. Garrick Askew Literacy Specialists Alabama Dothan City Schools Literacy Statistics Kendra Dawalt Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dejhia Armstrong
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