Transparent Literacy Goals: Fresno Unified defines literacy benchmarks
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What happened?
A year after approving goals and guardrails, Fresno Unified is beginning to show how those commitments translate into data. At the August 27 meeting, trustees approved revisions to the Adopted Goals and Interim Goals, replacing placeholders with real benchmarks.
For literacy, this means clear targets:
- 3rd-6th graders’ stretch growth on iReady: The district aims to raise the percentage of students meeting their individualized stretch growth goals from 26% in June 2024 to 55% by June 2026. Stretch growth refers to each student’s personal learning target designed to move them at least one year forward in reading ability within one school year.
- 7th-8th graders’ district interim assessments: The goal is to increase the percent of students improving their performance from 44% to 65% by June 2027.
- Writing assessments for 3rd-8th graders: By June 2027, the district aims for 50% of identified students to improve by at least one rubric level between the first and second administration of the district writing assessment.
These updates move literacy from aspirational to measurable commitment.
Just as important, the district is starting to collect and share data against those goals. Superintendent Misty Her offered an honest reflection on the initial student monitoring report results, highlighting our need for clarity, communication, and accountability. She notes that, although we are making positive progress, we are 2.1% behind our goal for first-grade students to master their foundational skills for early literacy development, with a target of 80% by 2030. Families have asked for transparency, and now we can see where the district is on track and where it isn’t.
Why is it important?
For years, board goals were broad statements without clear metrics, leaving families with little way to measure progress. Literacy is the foundation for all learning: if a student cannot read at grade level, they are more likely to struggle in math, science, and beyond.
Now that targets are defined, accountability can become real. But transparency cannot be limited to the presentation of data points. Without meaningful engagement, “transparency” risks becoming a one-way street where the district reports out but families cannot respond. When the district reports that students are behind, families deserve to know what interventions will follow and how resources will be aligned.
Literacy Nights, scheduled to begin this year, are one strategy to ensure that families are partners in this process. These events will provide parents and caregivers with practical tools to support reading at home, explain district literacy terminology in plain language, and create a space for families to ask questions and give input about literacy interventions. The goal is to equip families to reinforce learning outside of school, making the connection between home and classroom stronger.
Setting clear goals is a start, but the real measure will be whether these targets lead to meaningful improvement in students’ reading skills. Family engagement, oversight, and advocacy will be essential to making sure transparency translates into action.
What can you do?
In our efforts to support our families in the world of literacy, we invite you to join GO for our newly launched Literacy Community-Led Committee (CLC). If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, please complete our interest form.
As the budget process ramps up, help oversee and influence how your school’s funds are allocated by participating in the LCAP process. Visit our GO School Finance Library for more information and support!
Transparency is not the finish line, it’s the starting point. This year, stay connected and engaged as a community to support our students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.