Victoria ISD’s Literacy and Numeracy Frameworks have moved from strategy to practice this semester, as teachers across the district actively implement the plans in classrooms to strengthen reading, writing, and math foundations for students at every grade level.
Approved as part of the District’s strategic plan and long-term vision for student success, both the Literacy and Numeracy Frameworks provide clear, research-based approaches to teaching and learning. Now, with the plans in motion, campuses are seeing the impact of intentional instruction and focused support.
The VISD Literacy Framework emphasizes building strong readers and writers by aligning instruction with best practices in phonics, comprehension, and writing fluency. Teachers are embedding these strategies into their daily classroom routines.
The framework outlines clear, quarterly learning benchmarks for each grade level. Targets have been established for fluency, instant word recognition, decoding skills, and constructed responses to ensure students meet end-of-year expectations. Teachers are using these learning targets to develop data trackers and set individualized goals with students. As a result, instruction is more tailored to support individual student growth in literacy.
District-wide writing strategies, such as Unpacking the Prompt and RACE, which is used for short and extended constructed responses, promote consistency and vertical alignment across VISD. Students plan their writing with graphic organizer templates outlined in the Literacy Framework. Classrooms support this process by displaying posters and anchor charts that foster a rich literacy environment, which students frequently reference to enhance their learning.
Angelica Sanchez, Instructional Coach at Dudley Elementary, says, “The VISD Literacy Framework serves as a cornerstone of our daily instruction. It provides teachers with a clear roadmap for aligning learning goals, guiding instructional decisions, and ensuring coherence across classrooms. By outlining the essential standards and skills, the framework helps educators identify how students will progress toward mastery at each stage of learning. Having an all-in-one guide has strengthened our instructional focus and consistency with implementing district initiatives. More importantly, it empowers both teachers and students by supporting purposeful teaching and measurable literacy growth for every learner. The framework truly is a roadmap to success for all.”
The VISD Numeracy Framework is designed to strengthen number sense along with problem-solving and thinking skills, helping students understand math concepts and apply them to real-world situations. Across the district, teachers are finding new ways to make math engaging and meaningful.
The framework emphasizes hands-on, concept-based learning that engages students in meaningful problem-solving experiences. For example, teachers are using two-color counters to help students solve integer-related problems, allowing them to build a concrete understanding before moving to abstract representations. Through the use of these and many other aligned instructional strategies and practices, teachers are strengthening students’ mathematical reasoning, confidence, and ability to apply skills in real-world contexts.
Dana Gabbert, Instructional Coach at Harold Cade Middle School, says, “The numeracy framework is a necessary and useful tool for all teachers in the district. It helps them vertically align what knowledge students bring to the grade level, learn while in the grade level, and transfer to grade levels beyond, using a systematic set of strategies that can be built upon. More than that, students are developing an understanding of numeracy that deepens from year to year. Our teachers like review strategies that were taught in prior grade levels, because it helps them visualize the way their students understand a concept now, and they know how to build on it moving forward.”
Instructional coaches and campus leaders are working closely with teachers to support consistent implementation of both plans, ensuring every student has access to high-quality literacy and numeracy instruction.
“Literacy and numeracy are embedded instructional fundamentals in Victoria ISD,” said Sheila Collazo, Superintendent of Schools. “These frameworks have created clarity and alignment regarding expected instructional practices within and across classrooms. By supporting our teachers with clear strategies and resources, we are ensuring that all students have the opportunity to grow their skills, build confidence, and achieve at the highest levels. This work reflects our commitment to mastery of grade-level learning expectations and ‘Achieving Excellence for All.’
The VISD Literacy and Numeracy Frameworks are foundational components of Victoria ISD’s broader commitment to “Achieving Excellence for All.” As the year progresses, the district will continue highlighting how teachers are making the plans come alive in classrooms and how students are showing growth in their learning.