Tharptown Elementary’s reading curriculum honored by ARI

RUSSELLVILLE – Creating instruction that centers around students has earned Tharptown Elementary recognition as an ARI Science of Reading Spotlight School for the 2024-25 school year.

“Tharptown Elementary is extremely honored to be selected by the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) as a Science of Reading Spotlight School,” said reading specialist Monica Elliott. “Our teachers have worked diligently in learning and applying the science of reading,” Elliott said. “Their knowledge is directly impacting student achievement.”

Principal Molly King said a Spotlight visit allowed ARI representatives to see the school’s SMART (Strategic, Meaningful, Aligned, Relevant and Transformative) planning meetings in action.

King said school administrators and local reading specialists led the meeting, during which teachers worked with grade-level colleagues to develop instructional plans.

“At the core of our SMART planning meetings lies what distinguishes them: We focus not just on lesson planning for teachers, but on creating instruction that centers around students,” she said.

King emphasized the school accepts its role as “a source of hope and a bridge to a brighter future for each child.”

She cited every decision as being made with the aim to prepare the students “not only for tomorrow’s lesson but also for the weeks, months and years to come — through high school and beyond.”

ARI selects its Reading Spotlight Schools based on data growth, studentcentered coaching, leadership, local reading specialists, staff training and Literacy Act implementation.

The schools that are sought for selection are those with the highest growth in reading levels, demonstrated prioritization of coaching students to improve their reading skills and strong leadership structures reviewing data and creating action plans.