{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"OnYourMark Podcast","title":"From Accountability to Impact: How Melissa Gude Is Strengthening Early Literacy in Little Rock School District","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2291,"description":"In today's episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Melissa Gude, Chief Academic Officer at Little Rock School District in Arkansas.\nMelissa shares how her path from a nontraditional start in education to district-level leadership shaped her belief in mission-driven work, strong instructional systems, and collective accountability for student outcomes.\nMindy and Melissa discuss how Arkansas's LEARNS Act has changed the early literacy landscape, including new third-grade promotion requirements, individualized reading plans, and the statewide ATLAS assessment system. Melissa also explains how Little Rock improved third-grade literacy outcomes by investing in high-quality instructional materials, professional learning, high-impact tutoring, and outcomes-based contracting.\nKey Moments\n00:52 Melissa Gude's journey into education leadership\n07:40 How the LEARNS Act changed literacy in Arkansas\n12:22 Third-grade accountability and reading success\n16:11 Strengthening instruction with high-quality curriculum\n18:46 Why outcomes-based contracting works\n24:09 Building strong district and school partnerships\n27:20 Terry Elementary's literacy success story\n30:21 Improving attendance for tutoring success\n34:15 Advice for districts implementing high-impact tutoring\n38:51 Looking ahead to earlier literacy intervention\nWhy You'll Love This Episode\nIf you care about early literacy, district accountability, or making sure education investments lead to measurable student growth, this conversation offers a practical look at what it takes.\nMelissa speaks honestly about the opportunities and challenges created by new literacy legislation, the importance of selecting the right partners, and why successful tutoring requires more than purchasing a program. It takes clear expectations, shared ownership, strong school leadership, and consistent communication.\nHer reflections offer valuable lessons for any district leader working to improve literacy outcomes while making thoughtful and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/5NydEFA_qXyiCW0KwnrKe3r-T7cwMW6JrfLozUoHRfY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZjZm/YTE1ZjRlMjNkMDU4/MzI1MTBjZWJkOGU5/M2FiYS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}