Advancing Literacy for All Students in Newton County Schools
Newton County Schools (NCS) is committed to strengthening the district's literacy foundation, clarifying and documenting the district's literacy improvement philosophy, strategy, and building strong literacy foundations for every student. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based instruction and supported by targeted interventions that ensure all learners have the tools they need to succeed.
In alignment with Georgia legislation, including Senate Bill 48 (2019), the Georgia Early Literacy Act (House Bill 538, 2023), and the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act (House Bill 307, 2025), NCS has established structured processes to identify and support students who struggle with reading, including those showing characteristics of dyslexia.
As part of our commitment to early literacy, NCS will:
- implement a universal reading screener to be administered to all K–3 students, as outlined in H.B. 538.
- screen for characteristics of Dyslexia in accordance with S.B. 48 and H.B. 307.
- provide educators specialized training, both preservice and ongoing, focused on effective literacy instruction and the identification of dyslexia.
Supporting Students with Characteristics of Dyslexia
NCS is committed to following the guidance outlined in the Dyslexia Informational Handbook published by the Georgia Department of Education. This ensures that our literacy programs reflect the most current research and expert recommendations.
Through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), we provide timely, individualized interventions to meet each student’s needs—ensuring that learning differences are never a barrier to reading success.
Resources:
Dyslexia information from the Georgia Department of Education information
Dyslexia Handbook