Proposed Emery County framework would direct half of some elementary schools’ funds to literacy

What happened

Emery County is proposing a 2027–28 framework requiring each elementary school below the state third-grade reading benchmark to spend at least 50% of its TSSA funding on evidence-based literacy strategies. The board is scheduled to consider the framework Nov. 11, and it would allow 2025–26 reading data to determine which schools fall below the benchmark for that year.

Why it matters to families

For elementary schools that miss the benchmark, the proposed minimum would steer a substantial share of their school-improvement funding toward reading interventions, literacy support staff, related professional development, and other evidence-based literacy resources.

The evidence

The proposed FY28 TSSA framework says the district will evaluate each elementary school's third-grade reading using Acadience Reading. Schools below the statewide benchmark must allocate at least 50% of TSSA funding to evidence-based literacy strategies; the framework lists eligible spending and says finalized 2025–26 data may be used for plans approved in 2027–28. The Nov. 11 agenda recommends approval of the framework.

The source