EDUCATION
Vision Before 2030 , Polk County will have a world-class , fully integrated education system that supports the needs of a vibrant , progressive community .
Torsha Baker-Cunningham , Polk County Public Schools
Emilean Clemons , Polk County Public Schools
Pam Craven , Ph . D ., Learning Resource Center
Rob Davis , Polk County Public Schools
Carol Hughes , Arts Ensemble
Cheryl Joe , Polk County Public Schools
Janet Lamoureux , Polk County Council PTA
Stephanie Madden , Madden , Inc .
Diane Plowden , Polk County Public Schools
Scott Reeves , Polk County Public Schools
Gladys Roberts , Polk County Library Coalition
Jackie Rose , Polk County Public Schools
Juan Seda , Polk County Public Schools
Jane Thomas , Arts Ensemble & Doors 2 Change
Michelle Townley , Polk County Public Schools
Jeanette Wallace , Polk County Public Schools
LITERACY LEAD TEAM
Literacy Team Meeting
Based on Polk County Schools data , in 2015 , only 40 % of Kindergarten students came to school proficiently ready ; scoring 10 % less proficient than the previous year . Also , during the 2015-16 school year , only 45 % of Polk County Public School students in grades 3-10 scored proficiently on the English Language Arts portion of the state assessment , up just 1 % from the previous year . The goal of the Polk Vision Literacy Team is to increase student literacy proficiency by 2 % per year at each grade level .
National research has shown that increasing literacy rates in elementary grades has lasting effects , including higher graduation rates , college attendance and success rates . In order to support families in understanding how to assist their students in improving reading and comprehension , the Literacy Team is embarking on the creation of a Literacy Directory .
The Literacy Directory will promote a more literate community by providing information about resources available for students and their parents . Directory content will encompass activities , programs or services related to reading , writing , communication , technology , speaking , performance , or additional literacy-related topics .
“ Being a part of Polk Vision has opened my eyes to all the amazing efforts that are happening throughout Polk County . Even as a lifelong resident , I have learned so much more about my community by being a part of Polk Vision . The possibilities through our collective impact are endless ! It is exciting to think about the future of Polk County with so many community members from diverse backgrounds working together for the betterment of all .”
– Michelle Townley , Senior Director of K-12 Literacy , Polk County Public Schools
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“ I believe in Polk Vision ’ s operating principles of collaboration , transparency and alignment of resources . Those principles drive my own daily work . Polk County can be stronger if we all work together towards common goals and share resources to accomplish great things as a whole , rather than in silos .”
– Susan Copeland , MBA / Executive Director , Polk Education Foundation