Metro Nashville Public Schools
Nashville, Tennessee

Metro Schools has Balanced Literacy at the core of its elementary reading program. The district is moving toward an RTI model in reading and math. As part of the RTI initiative, the district values the differentiated instruction that Reading Recovery teachers provide for students. On average, Reading Recovery teachers work with 51 students each, providing instruction in Tier II and Tier III interventions. The running record is used in elementary schools to assess students’ progress in reaching achievement. Each elementary school has a book room with a selection of leveled texts which teachers check out to use in their classrooms.

Poised for Growth
Because of the move toward differentiated instruction and RTI, Metro Nashville Schools is planning to increase teacher training in Reading Recovery. Two teacher leaders-in-training are in the graduate residency program at OSU this year. Funding for this training was made possible by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, who helped raise $50,000. Next year these new teacher leaders will provide increased capacity to train Reading Recovery teachers. With this increased capacity, the district plans to train all 74 reading specialists in Reading Recovery. In addition, Metro Schools will also train special education teachers using an OSU pilot model based on Marie Clay’s most recent book, Literacy Lessons Designed for Individuals. Though retired, teacher leader Jill Spearing continues to work part-time while the new teacher leaders are in training.

Teacher leader Jill Speering works with
a Reading Recovery student.

Teacher leader Jill Speering (right) was one of three
teachers honored as Tennessee teachers of the year.
She used the opportunity to advocate for Reading
Recovery.