Texas Reads, Texas Leads showcase highlights Canutillo ISD’s literacy gains

Dozens of Canutillo ISD educators gathered at Damian Elementary this week to see firsthand how a $250,000 grant is transforming literacy instruction for the district’s youngest learners.

The event, part of the Texas Reads, Texas Leads (TXRL) Showcase, brought together classroom teachers, principals and special guests who visited kindergarten through third-grade classrooms to observe students engaged in reading lessons built on evidence-based strategies introduced through TXRL training.

Canutillo ISD is one of 16 districts statewide selected to participate in TXRL, a multi-year initiative aimed at ensuring all students master foundational reading skills by the end of third grade. The program emphasizes structured daily literacy instruction, small-group learning based on student data and personalized practice that builds student confidence.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jesica Arellano said the initiative is already showing measurable results for students.

“The Texas Reads, Texas Leads initiative has been transformative for Canutillo ISD,” Arellano said. “Our teachers are empowered with research-based tools and our students are already showing measurable gains in their reading achievement. This work is not only changing instruction, it is changing lives.”

The $250,000 grant, funded by the Butt and Moody foundations, has supported professional development, curriculum updates and instructional coaching aligned with the science of reading. District officials say the investment has helped accelerate early literacy growth across campuses.

At Damian Elementary, educators demonstrated lessons that integrated phonics, vocabulary and comprehension activities with opportunities for independent practice. Students rotated through small groups where teachers targeted specific needs identified through regular progress monitoring. The showcase gave visitors a clear look at how the training and materials are being applied in real classrooms.

Arellano said the focus on literacy in the earliest grades is central to preparing students for long-term success.

“We know that students who are strong readers by third grade are more likely to succeed in every subject,” she said. “This initiative is setting our children up for success in school and in life.”

Beyond classroom strategies, TXRL emphasizes collaboration among teachers and campuses. Canutillo ISD educators have been working together in professional learning communities to review student data, share best practices and strengthen their instructional approaches. District leaders said this systemwide collaboration is one of the most valuable outcomes of the program so far.

TXRL’s model is designed not only to improve short-term reading scores but also to create sustainable practices districts can continue after the grant period ends. Canutillo ISD will remain part of the TXRL network through 2027, giving teachers and principals several more years of training and support.

For Arellano, the showcase highlighted both the progress already made and the momentum building across the district.

“This is just the beginning,” she said. “The momentum we are building will carry forward, and we are committed to making literacy the heart of everything we do.”

The showcase closed with reflection sessions where educators discussed what they had seen in classrooms and how the program is shaping instruction districtwide. Leaders said the event demonstrated how the investment in TXRL is creating stronger readers, more confident teachers and a foundation for academic achievement across subjects.

This is just the beginning. The momentum we are building will carry forward, and we are committed to making literacy the heart of everything we do.Dr. Jesica ArellanoInterim Superintendent