BRENHAM ISD COMPLETES LITERACY INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORK, EARNS EXEMPLARY RATING FROM TEA
Brenham ISD has developed a framework to strengthen literacy instruction across the district, and the Texas Education Agency has taken notice.
framework committee met on Thursday for a
workshop at the Community Education Building.
The committee was tasked with studying literacy
research, examining classroom practices and
engaging in collaborative professional learning.
The district says the literacy instructional framework will guide professional learning, lesson planning, instructional coaching, and classroom support across campuses.
An early literacy coalition was formed in the spring of 2025, studying classroom data, instructional practices and research to better understand the literacy needs of the district’s youngest learners. Upon receiving the TEA’s Strong Foundations Planning Grant, the district expanded beyond early literacy and shifted into a district literacy committee, including teachers and leaders representing multiple campuses and grade levels.
Stephanie Koehler, a third-grade teacher at Krause Elementary School, said the framework starts from the earliest learning stages and continues all the way through high school, ensuring students are ready for the world outside of the classroom and that everyone involved in the students’ education knows how to achieve that.
Recently, the TEA reviewed Brenham ISD’s framework and awarded the district a perfect score, rating it exemplary in all areas. Reviewers cited the clarity of the district’s vision, the depth of understanding reflected in the framework, and the strong alignment between research-based practices and classroom expectations.
Walter Ayala, secondary district instructional specialist and assistant high school girls’ soccer coach, said the focus of the framework is building consistent and tangible ways to improve and sustain literacy education.
Chief Academic Officer Sara Borchgardt said the district’s work reflects a collective, long-term commitment and a shared vision for learning in Brenham ISD.
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator Kristie Sternadel said the district’s focus now shifts to supporting educators as they implement the framework. Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Amanda Dismukes said the framework provides a shared understanding for what effective, evidence-based literacy instruction looks like.
Click here to learn more about Brenham ISD's literacy instructional framework.