In Highline, we know strong literacy skills are the foundation for student success. That’s why literacy and language development continues to be one of our four big priority areas this school year, alongside secondary redesign, inclusion and student support systems (MTSS).
In Highline, our promise is to know all students by name, strength and need, so they graduate prepared for the future they choose. To fulfill this promise, our focus is on improving reading outcomes and closing literacy gaps. We use the Science of Reading to inform how we teach reading across grade levels and across content areas.
This approach focuses on the following skills:
- Hearing and working with sounds in words (phonemic awareness)
- Learning how letters and sounds connect (phonics)
- Reading smoothly and accurately (fluency)
- Building strong word knowledge (vocabulary)
- Understanding what they read (comprehension)
This summer, our educators continued training to strengthen how they teach reading in every classroom.
- In elementary schools, educators are focusing on early writing and reading skills.
- In middle and high schools, educators are focusing on accountable talk, which helps students make meaning of text and interact with the text and others. This helps to develop deeper thinking and critical reasoning.
These focus areas complement work on standards-based instruction and grading, inclusion and support systems for students.
In October, schools will review classroom practices and student data to better understand where students are struggling and succeeding, and to identify next steps for evolving our practice. This focus on improving literacy was also the topic of the October 1 Board work session. (View the slides and recording). Learning for teachers will continue this fall through:
- November 3 - District Improvement Day (DID)
- School-based professional learning
- District-level teacher leader convenings, including department chairs, lead teachers, and specialists
By working together, using research, and learning from each other, we’re making real progress—and we’re committed to continuing that growth so every student can succeed.
Dig In on the Big 4
Read more about the work happening in Highline.
Our Big 4 Priorities for Student Success
September 2025 | In continued support of our strategic plan goals, we will maintain our system-wide focus on Highline's “Big 4” priorities: Secondary Redesign, Literacy and Language Development, Inclusionary Practices and Student Support Systems. Take a look at where we’ve been and what's ahead!