North Gwinnett News

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will focus on literacy during the 2024-25 school year, implementing training for teachers in evidence-based literacy practices. This initiative follows the Science of Reading and structured literacy research, providing high-quality, explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction. The aim is to equip teachers to use EL Education for grades K-5 and HMH Into Literature for grades 6-12. "The EL Education curriculum is based on the Science of Reading, including structured phonics," which supports students in reading complex texts and mastering literacy standards.

As part of Georgia's early literacy initiative involving House Bill 538 and Senate Bill 48, GCPS will employ i-Ready as a state-approved literacy screener for dyslexia among K-3 students. This tool assists teachers in identifying students needing additional reading support to develop intervention plans.

Teachers from Kindergarten through third grade will undergo state-approved training in structured literacy. This mandatory training builds upon existing efforts since 2022 to equip educators with tools to support every student. Teachers from grades 6-12 will also receive ongoing professional development.

For math education, GCPS will introduce new curriculum resources aligned with K-12 Mathematics Standards for Kindergarten through Grade 2 and Grades 6-12. These resources emphasize understanding, problem-solving, collaboration, and differentiated instruction. Teachers will receive training to effectively implement these resources.

The Science Office at GCPS is integrating Design Thinking into K-5 Science and STEM programs to enhance problem-solving skills by applying learning to real-world scenarios. STEM-certified schools like Mason Elementary and Lovin Elementary are using this process for quality STEM experiences.

During the previous school year, classroom science fair projects were piloted in some Play 2 Learn and Pre-K classrooms. In the upcoming school year, all Play 2 Learn and Pre-K students will participate in these projects.

GCPS will expand support for multilingual learners (ML), who represent 27% of its student population. New curriculum resources at middle and high schools aim to enhance English language development through comprehensive instruction across several domains. At elementary schools, a program focusing on English Language Development (ELD) across subjects will support ML newcomer students who have been in the U.S. for less than three years.