BERKELEY – The Central Regional School District received a $150,000 grant and will hire a full-time coach to strengthen literary achievement among students.
Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder said the literacy coach will support the district’s approximately 40 English Language Arts teachers in implementing evidence-based literacy instruction by providing direct coaching, professional development, and collaborative planning opportunities.
“The coach will serve as a vital resource for the district,” she said. “We expect the literacy coach to have a transformative impact on literacy outcomes for our students, improving state learning assessment proficiency and reducing the percentage of students requiring intensive support.”
The Cultivating Ongoing Achievement through Coaching in Literacy (COACH-L) grant comes from the New Jersey Department of Education. It helps school districts hire and train literacy coaches to support educators within their schools. The term of the grant is five years.
Dr. CarneyRay-Yoder said that the grant comes at a time when the district is introducing a new educational pilot program. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports is starting in the Middle School (grades 7-9). It’s a comprehensive framework for general education designed to support the individual learning needs of every student.
She went on to explain that this is not a special program or separate service. It’s a framework that uses data to determine students’ individual needs, addressing both remediation and enrichment and providing systematic support at multiple levels. The literacy coach will be integrated into that framework which will be rolled out districtwide for the 2026-27 school year.
Laura Venello, director of pupil services for the district, said the impact of the literacy coach will be measured by increased teacher efficacy in evidence-based literacy instruction, improved instructional practices and enhanced professional learning communities. In addition, she said the district will work closely with parents.
“Literacy extends beyond the classroom, and we will create consistent messages about literacy goals and strategies families can use at home,” Dr. Venello said. “Together, these commitments ensure that Central Regional is positioned to sustain the work beyond the grant funding cycle and transform literacy outcomes for all students.”
