Are you looking to elevate literacy instruction through science of reading professional development? Understanding the key frameworks and instructional strategies founded on cognitive and linguistic research is essential. This article offers a concise overview of the transformative professional development programs that equip educators with the insights and techniques necessary to effectively apply the science of reading in their teaching.
Too Long Didn't Read (TLDR)
- The science of reading integrates research on brain-based learning processes and emphasizes explicit teaching of decoding skills, with Structured Literacy being the most effective instructional approach to enhance reading comprehension.
- Professional development through programs like Lexia LETRS Suite provides educators with up-to-date knowledge and teaching methodologies in literacy education, significantly improving teacher effectiveness and classroom practices.
- Evidence-based literacy programs grounded in the science of reading, such as LETRS training and the Wilson Reading System, have demonstrated substantial improvements in student reading achievement and are effective in diverse educational settings.
Unlocking Effective Literacy Instruction
Illustration of the five pillars of reading
The science of reading is a multifaceted discipline, understood through four key frameworks:
The five pillars of reading instruction
Scarborough’s Reading Rope
The Simple View of Reading
Structured Literacy
These instrumental frameworks emphasize the interplay of word recognition and language comprehension in reading, which is crucial for developing reading comprehension skills.
The science of reading goes beyond a single method; it is an amalgamation of extensive research on brain-based learning processes for reading. This research underscores the significance of decoding skills, which are explicitly taught for effective literacy instruction.
Structured Literacy, constructed on the principles of science of reading, is hailed as the most effective instructional approach for teaching reading. Integrated instruction based on models such as the five pillars and Structured Literacy has led to higher success rates in student reading development.
As students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, fundamental literacy skills are taught through Structured Literacy, in alignment with science of reading insights. The Lexia LETRS Suite, a comprehensive professional development program, instructs educators on core literacy elements, aligning with the foundations of Structured Literacy, to create systemic change in reading instruction.
Advancing Teacher Knowledge Through Structured Learning
Illustration of professional development opportunities
Teachers can enhance their subject matter expertise, crucial for confidently addressing student queries, through professional development opportunities. In the realm of language and literacy skills, Structured Literacy programs within professional development play a pivotal role. They equip educators with essential pedagogy and knowledge to effectively teach in diverse educational settings.
By engaging in professional development, teachers gain insights into new teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, and administrative practices, thereby improving efficiency and classroom management. Up-to-date instructional strategies acquired through professional development lead to more effective and relevant classroom practices, transforming the landscape of teaching.
Empowering Educators with Comprehensive Training Programs
Illustration of LETRS training program
Among various programs, LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) stands out as a comprehensive professional development program transforming reading instruction based on the science of reading. The Lexia LETRS Suite, designed by reading specialists, is recognized by the International Dyslexia Association, adhering to their Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.
LETRS training covers foundational skills for literacy education such as:
Phonological awareness
Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Comprehension
Written language
This comprehensive training equips educators with the ability to teach the five essential literacy components—phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension—along with writing, spelling, and oral language skills.
LETRS provides customizable professional learning opportunities catering to different educational roles, including elementary educators, education leaders, and early childhood educators. These professional development programs, grounded in the science of reading, significantly enhance teacher effectiveness in literacy education by helping educators understand and execute evidence-based literacy instruction effectively.
Bridging Theory and Practice in the Classroom
Reading professional development aims to:
Enrich content
Promote systemic change in how educators understand and teach literacy acquisition
Bridge the gap between theory and practice
Engage educators in collective problem-solving activities
Increase student engagement
Deepen understanding of literacy concepts
The classroom environment often requires teachers to develop adaptability and improvisational skills to guide students effectively through the learning process. Facilitators in professional development can enhance students’ literacy comprehension by encouraging them to articulate their understanding, moving beyond the search for the ‘right answer’.
Evaluating the Impact of Professional Development
Professional development significantly influences student achievement. Research indicates that structured professional development programs can lead to substantial improvements in student achievement, with gains of up to 21 percentile points. The implementation of science of reading curricula has led to significant increases in literacy rates in certain educational settings.
Instruction grounded in the science of reading has significantly narrowed the reading achievement gap for English Learners. While only 35% of students are proficient readers, 95% can learn to read if instructed on the basis of reading science and utilizing free science resources, such as those provided by the Reading League.
Evidence-based literacy programs that adhere to the science of reading often receive high ratings for efficacy from independent review organizations. These evidence based strategies include programs such as:
LETRS training, a prominent professional development program, which contributed to over 74% of kindergarten students in an Alabama school reaching proficiency in reading.
The Wilson Reading System, which has been shown to improve reading skills for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
Reading Recovery, a one-on-one intervention program that has been proven to accelerate the reading progress of struggling first-grade students.
These programs, supported by the Barksdale Reading Institute, have achieved significant gains in student reading achievement in various schools and districts over the past few years.
Tailored Support for Diverse Educational Settings
Programs like Lexia LETRS cater to diverse educational settings, offering distinct courses for different roles, including elementary educators, educational leaders, and early childhood educators. Similarly, the Hill Learning Center offers tailored support through live, virtual sessions for school-, district-, or network-based cohorts, as well as self paced modules.
The shift of nearly twenty states in the U.S. towards curricula based on the science of reading has heightened the need for professional development programs that cater to this educational paradigm. Educators who have gone through Lexia LETRS training report positive outcomes, emphasizing the potential benefits of such training on both students’ learning and teachers’ instructional methods.
Readers Also Ask...
What is science of reading training?
Science of reading training involves using evidence from rigorous research to guide effective classroom practices, based on research developed over the last 50+ years.
What is the role of reading in professional development?
Reading regularly provides valuable insight into various industries and trends, aiding in critical thinking and creativity in professional endeavors. Additionally, it enhances communication skills.
What are the 5 areas of science of reading?
The 5 areas of science of reading are phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Understanding and effectively teaching these components are crucial for developing strong reading skills.
What is the professional goal of the science of reading?
The professional goal of the science of reading is to provide educators with a deeper understanding of how students learn to read, ultimately improving literacy instruction and student outcomes.
What is the best training for the science of reading?
The best training for the science of reading is the LETRS® Suite, which provides professional learning rooted in the science of reading and empowers teachers to deliver effective reading instruction.
