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Operation ELEVATE Grant

Operation Elevate Logo

The Steilacoom Historical School District is thrilled to announce "Operation ELEVATE," a recent $1.5 million grant received from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) over the course of five years. DoDEA grants aim to enhance educational outcomes, reduce achievement gaps, and offer academic programs for districts with a high number of military-connected students.

Operation ELEVATE's primary goal is to address the challenges that students face in achieving literacy growth, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. The plan involves implementing a sustainable system of effective classroom instruction that aligns with collective teacher efficacy conditions. Furthermore, Operation ELEVATE will focus on evidence-based early literacy enhancements in K-5 classrooms.

Recognizing the pandemic's disproportionate impact on early learners' literacy skills, the grant will establish after-school Literacy Labs at K-5 military-connected schools. Another significant objective of the grant is to ensure consistency in English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum from K-12. This involves implementing a uniform curriculum aligned with state standards and evidence-based practices/programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 

Steilacoom Historical School District is one of 19 school districts supporting Army installations that received a total of $29,250,000 to support military connected students.  This is the district’s 5th DoDEA grant award.

 

OPERATION ELEVATE YEAR 2 UPDATE

 

CURRICULUM ADOPTION

  • K-2 Adoption of UFLI - an explicit and systematic phonics program
  • All K-3 staff trained on UFLI in August and October of 2024
  • Created a UFLI Implementation Squad to assist with in-staff building training and assisting teachers with implementation
  • Purchased classrooms supplies for students to participate in UFLI curriculum

DYSLEXIA teacher CERTIFICATION

  • 17 teachers at the mainland elementary schools hold Dyslexia Certificates from Pacific University 
  • The 15-credit Dyslexia Certificate Program, accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), empowers educators to recognize, understand, and implement evidence-based instruction grounded in the science of reading

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT K-12

  • All K-12 teachers have been provided the opportunity to be trained in BeGLAD teaching strategies. Be GLAD strategies are designed to integrate language development and content learning, fostering engagement, equity, and academic growth for all students, especially multilingual learners
  • Dr. Shelley Moore’s inclusive classroom training equipped all K-12 teachers with practical strategies to create equitable, engaging, and accessible learning environments that support the success of all students
  • Our 6-12 teachers have begun training with Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge to deepen their understanding of culturally responsive teaching and effectively address student engagement