Southside Elementary’s continued efforts to strengthen early literacy were highlighted this week by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in an article examining how schools across the state are responding to Arkansas’ updated third-grade reading requirements. Under the LEARNS Act, students must read at grade level to advance to fourth grade beginning in the 2025–26 school year, a change that has created a renewed focus on reading and early intervention.
The statewide article noted the “sense of urgency” many schools are experiencing as they prepare students for this new expectation. Southside Elementary was featured as an example of a school that has dramatically expanded its tutoring program to support students in kindergarten through third grade.
Over the past two years, Southside Elementary has increased its number of approved literacy tutors from just three to fifteen, allowing the school to serve nearly 90% of eligible students. Participation in the tutoring program has grown by more than 85%, thanks to a coordinated effort among teachers, instructional staff, and families. Small groups of no more than four students meet regularly with tutors to focus on essential reading skills tied directly to classroom instruction.
Instructional Facilitator Kim Stalker and Literacy Interventionist Alicia Ritchie shared with the Democrat-Gazette how the school tracks eligible students, follows up with qualifying families, and aligns tutoring sessions to identified needs. Southside staff also meet face-to-face with parents to ensure they understand the program and the resources available to their children through the LEARNS literacy grant.
Principal Alicia Skipper said the program is making a measurable difference for students and has strengthened collaboration between families and teachers.
“These tutoring grants have been a wonderful opportunity for our students,” Skipper said. “Our teachers, tutors, and interventionists are working closely together to make sure every child receives support that matches what they’re learning in the classroom. The growth we’re seeing is a direct result of that teamwork and the dedication of our staff.”
The positive results have gained attention from nearby districts, with other schools visiting Southside to observe the model and learn about the systems in place. Parents have also expressed enthusiasm about the program’s impact. Many have reported noticeable improvements in their children’s reading confidence and fluency.
Southside Elementary is proud to be recognized statewide for its commitment to helping students build strong foundational literacy skills. The school will continue to expand support systems and communication with families as Arkansas prepares to implement the new third-grade reading requirements next year.
To read the full article published by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on November 23, 2025, please visit their website.