North Carolina Superintendent Catherine Truitt has had a significant impact during her four-year term, with one of her major accomplishments being the General Assembly’s 2021 vote to mandate changes in the way students are taught to read. This mandate required all elementary and pre-kindergarten teachers to undergo extensive training on literacy instruction using the LETRS program. The goal of this training is to ensure that children learn the foundational skills needed to become proficient readers, including phonics, word recognition, comprehension, and fluency. Truitt has been a strong advocate for improving reading instruction in the state, citing the importance of early literacy skills in academic success.
Truitt’s focus on improving reading instruction stems from her belief that reading proficiency is crucial for student success. She has been vocal about the need to address the state’s reading scores and has worked tirelessly to implement changes that will lead to better outcomes for students. Despite facing challenges and roadblocks in restructuring the education system, Truitt has remained committed to her goal of improving literacy instruction in North Carolina.
One of the key challenges Truitt faced during her tenure was the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to setbacks in student learning. The transition to remote learning posed significant challenges for both students and teachers, making it difficult to maintain consistent academic progress. However, Truitt remains optimistic about the potential for improvement, especially with the implementation of the LETRS training for teachers and the phased approach to literacy instruction.
Truitt’s emphasis on the importance of strong school leadership has also been a central theme of her term. She believes that effective principals play a crucial role in driving student success and closing the achievement gap. Truitt highlighted the work of Principal Dwight Thompson, who made significant gains in student achievement at Renaissance West STEAM Academy through innovative approaches to education. She emphasized the need for strong leadership in schools serving high-poverty communities to provide students with the support they need to succeed.
In addition to her efforts to improve reading instruction, Truitt has also focused on promoting career readiness and skills development through the state’s Portrait of a Graduate framework. This initiative aims to prepare students for success beyond graduation by emphasizing skills such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and empathy. While Truitt has made progress in this area, she has faced challenges in gaining legislative support for broader reforms to teacher licensure and school performance grading.
As Truitt nears the end of her term, she reflects on her accomplishments and the challenges she has faced. Despite being defeated in the Republican primary, Truitt remains committed to her vision for education in North Carolina. She acknowledges the need for continued innovation and improvement in the education system and hopes that her efforts will pave the way for future progress. Truitt’s dedication to improving literacy instruction and promoting student success has left a lasting impact on North Carolina’s education system, setting the stage for continued growth and improvement in the years to come.