A 2026-27 Reading Success Plan Policy, approved on July 15 by the St. James R-1 Board of Education, was updated to promote success and boost support for students with low literacy scores.

St. James R-2 Board President Tim Wilson said that the new policy was developed to be a “master plan for reading success in the best interest of students. We always strive to follow through and get students the help they need.”

The newly adopted policy outlines plans for state-mandated annual reading assessments and dyslexia screeners. The plan also details Reading Support Plans (RSP), intervention plans that will support students who demonstrate difficulty reading.

Under the newly adopted plan the STAR EL and STAR tests, developed by Renaissance Learning, will be used as universal screeners. The STAR CBM subtests will be used for students with low reading scores to determine if the student shows signs of dyslexia, or is in need of an RSP.

According to the new policy, Kindergarten students will take the STAR EL assessment. Students who rank in the bottom 32 percentile of the test, or who have an existing RSP will take a series of CBM assessments. Students who score below the 20th percentile rank on the STAR CBM are considered at risk of dyslexia and are required to have an RSP.

All first graders will also take the STAR EL assessment. Second through fifth graders will take the STAR assessment. Any student who ranks below the 32nd percentile will take a STAR CBM test. Students who score below the 20th percentile in that exam are then required to have an RSP.

Only sixth through 12th graders who have an existing reading success plan will be required to take STAR and STAR CBM assessments. Those students who score At-Risk in CMB assessments will be given an updated RSP.

The reading success plan outlines a three-tiered intervention system for struggling students. Students in tiers one and two are considered At Risk and will receive small-group intervention from their classroom teacher.

Tier-three students are considered one-year or more below their grade level in reading. Tier-three students will receive support from a reading intervention teacher, a special education teacher, a paraprofessional, or a retired teacher.

The policy says that once reading deficits are identified “teachers can provide instructional support targeted to students’ individual needs, progress monitor, and adjust instruction as needed based on student data.”

According to the policy, depending on the needs of the student, they may receive instruction in small group, one-on-one, or large group settings.

Students with severe intellectual disabilities, hearing and visual impairment are exempt from the STAR CBM assessments. Students with Individualized Education Plans may also be exempted. Students are required to remain in their RSP until they demonstrate grade-appropriate reading skills.

According to the plan students can exit their RSP when they “demonstrate proficiency in all appropriate foundational skills areas as indicated on state-approved assessment scores for at least two consecutive reading assessments.”

If a parent notices that their student is struggling with literacy, Wilson advised parents to get in contact with educators.

“Reach out to the student’s teacher, or follow up with school administration,” he advised.

The parents of students placed in an RSP will be provided with information about the plan prior to the end of the 1st quarter. Parents will also be updated on their students’ progress in the RSP quarterly throughout the year.

At-home activities and strategies are available to families online at stjschools.org under Lucy Wortham James Elementary, Menu, Reading Resources.

In other news, board members approved new meal prices for the 2026-27 school year.

Breakfast for all students was increased from $1.80 to $1.85. The price of breakfast for all staff saw a $2.60 to $2.70 increase.

Lunch for students and staff increased from $2.45 to $2.55 for elementary school students, from $2.70 to $2.80 for high school students, and $3.85 to $3.95 for staff.

Finally, the board approved a budget revision for the 2026-27 school year.