Charleston County School District added a sixth school to its expanding literacy initiative Tuesday, bringing the research-based Orton-Gillingham teaching method to Carolina Park Elementary in Mount Pleasant.

Lowcountry Literacy Project Executive Director Lindsey Ballenger announced the expansion during the premiere of “The Rising Tide: Literacy in the Lowcountry,” a documentary examining reading challenges across the region.

The addition represents a 20% increase in schools using the specialized approach, which targets students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties through structured, multisensory instruction.

“This is about giving every child the tools they need to succeed,” Ballenger said during Tuesday’s announcement.

Carolina Park Elementary joins five other district schools already implementing the Orton-Gillingham method. The approach requires intensive teacher training and uses systematic phonics instruction combined with visual, auditory and tactile learning techniques.

The expansion comes as Charleston County grapples with persistent literacy gaps. State data shows 32% of third-graders in the district failed to meet reading proficiency standards on 2023 state assessments, slightly below the statewide average of 35%.

Mount Pleasant schools have generally outperformed district averages, but Carolina Park Elementary reported 28% of third-graders below proficiency levels last year.

The Lowcountry Literacy Project, founded in 2019, has trained more than 200 teachers across participating schools. The nonprofit partners with districts to provide professional development and ongoing coaching support.

“We’re seeing measurable improvements in student outcomes where this method has been properly implemented,” said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, the project’s curriculum director.

The Orton-Gillingham approach dates to the 1930s but gained renewed attention as districts nationwide confront what reading experts call a literacy crisis. The method emphasizes explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding skills.

Charleston County’s adoption reflects broader shifts in education politics and government as districts move away from whole-language approaches that dominated classrooms for decades.

The documentary screening highlighted regional literacy challenges extending beyond Charleston County. Neighboring Berkeley and Dorchester counties reported similar proficiency rates, with rural areas showing the steepest declines.

State funding supports part of the initiative through grants targeting schools with high percentages of students from low-income families. Carolina Park Elementary qualifies based on its Title I designation, with 58% of students receiving free or reduced-price meals.

District officials project full implementation at Carolina Park Elementary will take two years. The timeline includes summer training sessions for teachers and gradual rollout across grade levels.

Teachers receive 60 hours of initial training followed by monthly coaching sessions. The district estimates per-teacher costs at $3,200, funded through a combination of state grants and local budget allocations.

Parent advocate Jennifer Martinez, whose daughter attends one of the pilot schools, credited the program with dramatic improvements in her child’s reading confidence.

“The difference has been night and day,” Martinez said. “She went from dreading reading time to asking for extra books at home.”

The program targets early elementary grades but includes intervention strategies for older students who missed foundational skills. Data from pilot schools shows average reading level gains of 1.8 grade levels after one year of instruction.

Critics question whether the intensive approach can scale effectively across larger school populations. Some education researchers argue the method’s rigid structure may not suit all learning styles.

District spokesperson Maria Rodriguez defended the expansion, citing positive results from existing programs.

“We’re following the data and the success we’ve seen in our pilot schools,” Rodriguez said. “Every child deserves evidence-based instruction that meets their individual needs.”

The documentary screening drew approximately 150 attendees, including school board members, teachers and community leaders. The film features interviews with local families affected by reading difficulties and highlights successful intervention strategies.

Producers plan additional screenings across the region to build awareness about literacy challenges and available resources.

School board member David Thompson praised the expansion but questioned long-term funding sustainability.

“We need to ensure this isn’t just a pilot program that disappears when grant money runs out,” Thompson said during Tuesday’s event.

The district has committed to seeking additional funding sources, including federal Title I allocations and potential private partnerships.

Carolina Park Elementary Principal Amanda Foster said her school’s selection reflects both need and readiness to implement the program effectively.

“Our teachers are excited about having research-based tools to help struggling readers,” Foster said. “This gives us concrete strategies instead of hoping traditional methods will eventually click.”

Implementation begins with kindergarten and first-grade teachers this summer, expanding to second and third grades the following year.

The broader initiative aligns with state legislation requiring districts to use evidence-based reading instruction and provide intervention for students showing early warning signs of reading difficulties.

Ballenger said the organization continues seeking funding to expand the program to additional schools. The goal includes reaching every elementary school in Charleston County within five years.

“Literacy is the foundation for everything else in education,” Ballenger said. “We can’t afford to leave any child behind when it comes to reading.”