In just one year, statewide English Language Arts assessment scores increased by 33 points throughout the Mark Twain Union Elementary School District in Calaveras County of northern California.
This remarkable improvement occurred under the leadership of superintendent Louise Simson. With emphasis on fidelity to the program, the team facilitated the implementation of the K–5 Collaborative Literacy curriculum.
Superintendent Simson was already familiar with the power of Collaborative Literacy, thanks to her former role as Assistant Superintendent and Principal of Vallecito Union School District.
Mark Twain Union Elementary School District in Calaveras County is a rural, two-school Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) TK–8 system serving 705 students. Vallecito Union School District in Calaveras County is a Basic Aid 3 TK–8 system serving 640 students.
Why Mark Twain Union Chose Collaborative Literacy
Why did the Mark Twain Union school district become interested in the Collaborative Literacy program?
I began working with Collaborative Literacy more than seven years ago when I was the assistant superintendent of the Vallecito Union School District, in Calaveras County, a high-performing district. Collaborative Literacy had been introduced in that district with two goals: to serve students who needed support and to accelerate extension learners through small-group work.
The results in the Vallecito Union School District were so impressive that Mark Twain Union Elementary School District adopted it. That is where I am today and we continue to see the benefits of the differentiated learning possibilities in each and every one of our classrooms all these years later.
What Leaders and Teachers Appreciate
As a leader, what do you appreciate about Collaborative Literacy? What do educators appreciate about it?
The responsiveness of Collaborative Classroom representatives is key to making sure my team is successful. Even veteran educators need guidance at times, and the Collaborative Classroom team is able to step in beside me to ensure that teachers with all levels of experience have the resources and collaboration necessary to provide the kids with what they need.
The professional development opportunities are thoughtful, concise, and effective. The materials are engaging. Once the routine is in place, educators, students, and parents alike thrive on the results. What other curriculum allows you to simultaneously create facilitate differentiated small-group instruction that meet the needs of students in the middle, those emerging, and those who are high-performing?
The Impact on Student Learning and Engagement
What have you noticed about students’ learning and engagement? Can you share what teachers have noticed?
The materials are engaging and fun, and students are happy to participate. Once teachers understand the structure, lesson planning is seamless. Differentiation isn’t a chore—it’s part of the system to meet kids where they’re at.
The materials are engaging and fun, and students are happy to participate.
How Collaborative Classroom Supports Programming
Could you speak to the level of support and professional learning you’ve received from Collaborative Classroom? Is there anything about the partnership you would specifically call out?
Outstanding! The responsiveness of our educational representative, Alice Burkart, and the support from the Collaborative Classroom team are truly wonderful. Long-term relationships are established. I haven’t had a change in representatives in my entire experience with Collaborative Classroom. They know the district, they know the players, they know the strengths and weaknesses of the district, and they respond!
Experienced Insight for Other District Leaders
What thoughts or insights would you share with a school or district that is considering Collaborative Literacy?
Collaborative Literacy is different—but it works. When we implemented Collaborative Literacy with fidelity in the Mark Twain Union Elementary School District, our English Language Arts scores on the statewide assessments went up thirty-three points in one year.
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