The Randolph County School System (RCSS) is proud to celebrate newly hired K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Lead Jessica Yakout, whose expertise in literacy instruction is featured in a new article published by Edutopia, a nationally recognized education publication.

Yakout’s article, “Teaching Multiple-Choice Questions as Their Own Genre of Text,” published October 8, 2026, explores how educators can help students approach multiple-choice questions as more than a test-taking exercise. By teaching students to recognize the purpose of a question, identify what a correct answer must accomplish, evaluate competing answer choices, and reflect on their reasoning, Yakout demonstrates how assessment preparation can also strengthen critical-thinking and reading-comprehension skills.

Her approach encourages students to look closely at language, consider text evidence, and explain why an answer is the strongest choice. Rather than focusing solely on finding the correct response, students learn to analyze information, evaluate interpretations, and better understand their own thinking.

Yakout’s work reflects the importance of purposeful literacy instruction that equips students with skills they can apply across subjects and throughout their educational journeys. Her article also highlights how a deeper understanding of questions and answer choices can support meaningful learning beyond standardized assessments.

As RCSS welcomes Yakout to her new role as K-5 ELA Lead, her publication in Edutopia is an exciting opportunity to recognize the knowledge and instructional expertise she brings to the district. RCSS looks forward to the positive impact of her leadership as the district continues its commitment to Students First in All We Do.

Congratulations to Jessica Yakout on this professional accomplishment and for sharing valuable literacy insights with educators!

Read the full article: https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-multiple-choice-questions-genre