School Board Trustees Focus on Literacy
February 16, 2026
At its February Quarterly Meeting, the SMCSBA addressed the need to focus on literacy in middle schools and high schools. Some middle and high school students students continue to struggle with reading gaps, which can have a tremendous impact on their self confidence and ability to access content across the curriculum. The trustees were joined by Pam Bartfield, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Schools, San Mateo-Foster City School District (SMFCSD). Pam shared how literacy became a focus in SMFCSD, how they are supporting teachers in this work, best practices and learnings, and the district’s plans for future literacy work.