Our mission is to ensure that all children learn to read through instruction grounded in the science of reading. We are dedicated to delivering evidence-based, explicit, and systematic literacy instruction that meets every learner where they are - so that every child has the opportunity to thrive as a reader. We strive to foster a love of reading and develop lifelong readers.
ELA Curriculum
Rockford Public Schools has a rigorous, research-based, guaranteed and viable curriculum for all grades DK-11, with students taking a variety of ELA electives in grade 12. All DK-12 content areas have priority standards identified and reviewed annually. We use these standards in literacy to determine where to intervene with our students.
District ELA Curriculum:
- DK-5: CKLA (Amplify)
- Grade 6: CommonLit
- Grade 7 and 8: Into Literature (HMH)
- Grade 9: Pre-AP
- Grade 10: AP Seminar
- English 11: my perspectives (SAVVAS)
Instructional Coaching
Rockford has 10 dedicated and highly qualified instructional coaches serving the district. These coaches are key stakeholders in providing high-impact instructional strategies to our teachers in all content areas. They analyze data and collaborate with staff to create Tier I Action plans to target learning for all students and ultimately increase student achievement.
MTSS
A strong multi-tiered system of supports for reading has been implemented through our district Rtl ELA Task Force. Over 20 members of this team support a robust intervention system for all K-9 students in ELA with expansion to 10-12 coming soon. By using ongoing data analysis, evidence-based practices, and aligned instructional resources, our system helps build foundational reading skills and close achievement gaps. Read more about the Rockford ELA Rtl process.
Title 1
The purpose of Title 1 funding is to provide children a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high quality education, and to close the educational achievement gaps. Title 1 is a federally funded program. Title 1 generates more additional funding support for districts that qualify than any other federal school funding legislation. The program serves millions of children in schools across the country each year.
Rockford Public Schools is a targeted Title 1 district with three elementary schools identified at Title 1 schools. Those schools are Lakes Elementary, Meadow Ridge Elementary, and Roguewood Elementary (not inclusive of Spanish Immersion).
A targeted Title school services specific, identified students. A student is eligible to receive Title 1 services if the school identifies the child at risk of not meeting the challenging State academic standards.
Community Outreach
Rockford has a wonderful Book Bus that serves thousands of students by visiting neighborhoods throughout the summer to lend out books and keep literacy alive when school is not in session. You can find more information about the Rockford Book Bus at our Rockford Book Bus webpage.
Rockford Public Schools also support the annual Reading Rocks Festival in downtown Rockford and have supplied all local preschools with "Libraries for Littles" through the Rockford Education Foundation grants.
