Investing in Literacy: Superintendent Mark Marshall on Building a Sustainable Literacy Mindset

In this episode of Literacy Mindset, we sit down with Dr. Mark Marshall, Superintendent of Los Banos Unified School District in California, to explore the district’s approach to strengthening literacy outcomes. Dr. Marshall shares insights into the unique demographic and economic challenges of Los Banos, including a high percentage of commuting parents and a growing student population.

He delves into how the district strategically used federal funding to invest in a new curriculum and robust professional development, ensuring that educators have the tools they need to support student literacy growth. We discuss early interventions, the impact of structured reading programs, and how tutoring—both in-person and online—has helped close achievement gaps.

Dr. Marshall also highlights the role of technology in literacy instruction, from providing devices to students to integrating AI-driven learning tools. He candidly shares the challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple schools, implementing effective reading interventions, and building teacher capacity for literacy instruction, especially at the secondary level.

Key Moments

[00:01:16] Mark Marshall’s Journey in Education

[00:02:32] Los Banos USD: A Unique Educational Landscape

[00:03:46] The District’s Literacy Philosophy

[00:06:22] Early Interventions & Closing Achievement Gaps

[00:07:34] Intervention Strategies That Work

[00:11:04] The Role of Technology in Literacy Instruction

[00:16:47] Overcoming Challenges in Literacy Implementation

[00:18:41] Creating Healthy Competition for Literacy Success

[00:20:59] The Future of Literacy Education

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

• Gain real-world insights into how a superintendent tackles literacy challenges at the district level.
• Learn proven strategies for early intervention and professional development that can be replicated in other districts.
• Discover how technology and AI are being used to support literacy education.
• Understand how healthy competition among schools can drive improvement in literacy scores.
• Get a realistic and transparent look at the journey toward improving literacy outcomes.

Connect with Mark Marshall

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mark-marshall-06982a47/

Website: https://www.losbanosusd.org/

Follow Us On

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-pendleton-2a614b26/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindplayeducation

Company Website: https://mindplay.com/

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Literacy Mindset and leave us a review!

Share this episode with educators, parents, or advocates passionate about improving literacy and special education.