About the Webinar:
Third Grade Success: Florida Policy and Best Practices for Literacy Achievement
Presented by Monica Reeves and Meghann Van Hise, Just Read, Florida!, Florida Department of Education
This session provided a comprehensive overview of Florida’s policies and best practices to promote early literacy achievement, with a focus on supporting third-grade success. Monica Reeves and Meghann Van Hise walked participants through updates to Section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, outlining requirements for identifying and addressing substantial reading deficiencies (SRD) and mathematics deficiencies. The presenters emphasized the importance of early identification, immediate intervention, and proactive communication with parents—beginning as early as kindergarten—to ensure every child has the support needed to reach grade-level proficiency by third grade.
The session also explored strategies for high-quality reading instruction grounded in research-based recommendations from the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides. Reeves and Van Hise modeled practical classroom applications, including explicit comprehension strategy instruction, teaching text structures, and guiding students through meaningful, high-quality discussions to deepen understanding. Participants engaged in collaborative planning activities and left with tools and templates to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, integrate proactive literacy practices across grade levels, and build a culture of continuous instructional reflection and collaboration.
Third Grade Success: Florida Policy and Best Practices for Literacy Achievement
Presenter:
- Monica Reeves, FDOE
- Meghann Van Hise, Just Read, Florida!, FDOE