Evidence-based Early Literacy Professional Learning Community (PLC)
This professional learning community was established as part of MA DESE’s commitment to advancing evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices across the state. This PLC is being facilitated by The Reading Circuit and EdLighten Solutions to help faculty ensure that they successfully teach candidates evidence-based early literacy practices. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Registration is now closed.
THE READING CIRCUIT, INC.
PLC Spring 2024 Sessions
The PLC consists of a series of 8 collaborative sessions facilitated by expert guest speakers and colleagues. The full outline can be downloaded here. Agendas, resources, and facilitator information for each session will be continually updated below. Please check back regularly for updates.
The 90 minute sessions will be held throughout Spring 2024 on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 11am.
1: Working Collaboratively on Early Literacy Instruction, Feb 7th
Date: 02/07/24, Time: 9:30 – 11am
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Meeting all participants, partners and facilitators
- Resources for participants, including website and self-assessment tool
- Overall goals of the PLC
- Sharing process of change, including pitfalls and successes, facilitated by David Chard of BU Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
- Sharing areas of current strength and need in educator preparation programs
2: Building an Equitable Program of Study for Early Literacy Instruction, Feb 14th
Date: 02/14/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Refining group and participant goals
- Unpacking the self-assessment tool
- Alignment with DESE’s focus on equitable instruction
- Articulating the equity focus of early literacy instruction facilitated by Giordana Basta of Curry College
Agenda
Self-Assessment Tool
DESE Presentation – Equity Through Early Literacy
CLSP Talking Points
Self-Assessment Sample 1
Self-Assessment Sample 2
Mock Interview Questions
3: Building a Cohesive Program of Study for Early Literacy Instruction, Feb 28th
Date: 02/28/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Continued unpacking of the self-assessment tool
- Discussion of uniting faculty across disciplines, facilitated by John Hosp of UMass Amherst
4: Building a Cohesive Program of Study for Early Literacy Instruction - continued, Mar 20th
Date: 03/20/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- What adjustments need to be made and what are successful practices for students at the various levels of practice (introduction, practice and demonstration)?
- Discussion facilitated by Priscilla Nelson and Julia D’Onofrio of Gordon College on the process of aligning criteria for educator preparation programs
5: Responding to Students Experiencing Reading Difficulties, Mar 27th
Date: 03/27/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Understanding the definition and characteristics of students at risk for, or identified with dyslexia
- Identifying cross-cutting ideas from Mass Literacy and MA Dyslexia Guidelines
- Discussion on dyslexia, reading disabilities and ADHD facilitated by Joanna Christodoulou of MGH-IHP
6: Building Practices within an MTSS Model, Apr 3rd
Date: 04/3/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Sharing resources on assessment tools
- Sharing resources and practices on data-based decision making
- Sharing resources on early literacy screening tools
- DESE supports and initiatives
- Discussion on assessment and data
- Facilitated by Nancy Nelson of Boston University
7: Considering Additions and Enhancements to Coursework, Apr 10th
Date: 04/10/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- Sharing resources on required and recommended readings
- Sharing resources on videos
- Sharing resources on access to high quality instructional materials
- Sharing resources on culturally and linguistically sustaining practices
- Discussion on successful field-based partnerships facilitated by Christina Cassano at Salem State
8: Successful Practices and Feedback on ELPAC Alignment, Apr 24th
Date: 04/24/24, Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Zoom Registration Link
Session Objectives:
- DESE resources regarding Multilingual learners shared by Linda Sewnarine, Assistant Director of Literacy
- Examining the 5 strands of the ELPAC
- Next steps and resources
Facilitators
- Leandra Elion, PLC facilitator, Tufts University Lecturer, The Reading Circuit President
- David Chard, Dean of Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- Giordana Basta, Assistant Professor Education and Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Curry College
- John Hosp, Program Coordinator Special Education and Professor, UMass Amherst College of Education
- Nancy Nelson, Assistant Professor at BU and Deputy Director of the National Center on Improving Literacy and the Lead for Literacy Center
- Joanna Christodoulou, Director of BEAM Lab & Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Priscilla Nelson, Richard F Gross Endowed Professor at Gordon College
- Julia D’Onofrio, Instructor in Education at Gordon College
- Christina Cassano, Professor of Childhood Education and Care at Salem State University
MA DESE Resources
Siobhan Allen, MA DESE Literacy Program Specialist
Mass Literacy – Statewide effort to empower educators with the evidence-based practices for literacy that all students need.
Early Literacy Resources – Resources for Ed Prep Program Faculty including Early Literacy Program Criteria so that all teacher candidates have access to information about literacy and language acquisition that is based in current evidence.
Early Literacy Observation Form – A form to support educator preparation supervisors to observe and provide high-quality feedback to teacher candidates.
Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices
• Center for Instructional Support Guidance and Resources
• Center for Instructional Support Video Library
• Pathways to Equity in Early Literacy from Mass Literacy
• The Foundations of Early Literacy as a Tool for Equity – Webinar
• Culturally Responsive Practices in Early Literacy – Webinar
• Early Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners – Webinar
• DESE’s Educational Vision
Literacy Grants
• Grant Details – Higher Education Faculty Participation in Early Literacy Professional Learning Community
• Grant Details – Early Literacy Consortium Grant
Additional Resources
Evidence-based Literacy
• National Center for Improving Literacy (NCIL) Operated by Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development with funding from the US Dept of Education, the Center builds individual and organizational capacity to assess student’s literacy-related skills, and fully implement evidence-based literacy programs and professional development
Knowledge and Practice Guides
• Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading from the International Dyslexia Association
Learning opportunities focused on Evidence-based Literacy
• Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning – Premier literacy institute focused on providing evidence-based reading research and strategies for those who teach all ages and grade levels.
• The Big Sky Literacy Summit – a three day event to inspire deep learning and transformational thinking on evidence-based literacy with scientific mentors, innovators, teachers coaches and literacy leaders
Professional Organizations that Support Evidence-based Literacy
• Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children – A national non-profit created by parents, educators, and advocates driven by the urgent need to alleviate the double disparity of unaddressed Dyslexia and racism.
• International Dyslexia Association – provides advocacy, resources and services to teaching professionals, individuals and families impacted by dyslexia and other related learning differences
• The Reading League – Evidence-aligned resources curated by experts in the science of reading field.
Reports
• NAEP – The National Assessment of Educational Progress
• NCTQ: Teacher Prep Review – National Council on Teacher Quality – Teacher Prep Review – Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction
Science of Reading
• Infographic on What SoR is and is not from the National Center for Improving Literacy
• Science of Reading: Defining Guide from The Reading League
Structured Literacy
• Infographic from the International Dyslexia Association
Professional Learning Community Members
The following PLC community members have chosen to have their information shared. Please reach out and collaborate.
- Melissa Andresen, Lecturer, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- Valerie J.C. Annear, Director of Educator Prep & Licensure/Adjunct Professor, Springfield College
- Shannon Audley, Associate Professor of Education and Child Study, Smith College
- Francesca Baez-Gonzalez, BE/ACTT Teacher Coach. at BPS OHC / BE/ACTT Pipeline Program
- Kathleen Bakis, Program Supervisor, Curry College
- Giordana Basta, Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Curry College
- Colette Bidus, Adjunct Professor – Program Supervisor, Springfield College
- Maria José Botelho, Professor of Language, Literacy & Culture (with expertise in K-12 Literacy Education), University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Jennifer Bryson, Director of the Elementary Education and Reading Education programs at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- Diane Carroll, Field Placement Coordinator, Education Department, Anna Maria College
- Christina Cassano, Professor of Childhood Education and Care at Salem State University
- David Chard, Dean of Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- Joanna Christodoulou, Director of BEAM Lab & Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions
- John Cipora, Associate Professor of Education, Springfield College
- Lesley Cogswell, Instructor and Program Supervisor, UMass Amherst
- Lynn Dole, Coordinator of Teacher Education at Smith College
- Maleka Donaldson, Associate Professor of Education and Child Study, Smith College
- Julia D’Onofrio, Instructor in Education at Gordon College
- Leandra Elion, Tufts University Lecturer, The Reading Circuit President, Focus: Dyslexia and Equitable Opportunities
- Katie Galdamez, Curriculum and Opportunity Development Manager, Collaborative for Educational Services
- Ronda Goodale, Program Chair, Early Education and Care, Cambridge College
- Melisa Grandison, Director of Residency, Teach Western Mass
- Terri Griffin, Professor of Education, Westfield State University
- Stephanie Grimaldi, Professor at Westfield State University
- Phyllis Hakeem, Instructor & Lead Practicum Supervisor & MTEL Prep., Bay Path University
- Shaunna Harrington, Teaching Professor at Northeastern University
- Andrea Hickson-Martin, Chair, Education Programs, Elms College
- John Hosp, Program Coordinator Special Education and Professor, UMass Amherst College of Education
- Sam Intrator, Professor and Chair of the Education and Child Study Program, Smith College
- Alexandra Lauterbach, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Kristen Lech, Director of Graduate Programs in Special Education and ESL, Bay Path University
- Christine Leighton, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Emmanuel College
- Rebekah Louis, Director/Asst. Professor, Graduate Teacher Education at Stonehill College
- Liza Manchester, Field Placement Manager, Collaborative for Educational Services
- Amanda Marcotte, Professor, UMass Amherst
- Janna Murphy, Adjunct Faculty, Cambridge College
- Nancy Nelson, Assistant Professor at BU, Deputy Director of the National Center on Improving Literacy, Lead for Literacy Center
- Priscilla Nelson, Richard F Gross Endowed Professor at Gordon College
- Lisa O’Brien, Assistant Professor, Education at Merrimack College
- Kerri Olore, Assistant Professor – Department of Special Education, Bridgewater State University
- Maryanne Palmer, Adjunct Professor; CAP Program Supervisor, Emmanuel College
- Lianna Pizzo, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and Care, UMass Boston
- Laura Porter, Practicum Director/Assistant Professor, Elms College
- Claudia Rinaldi, Chair, Education Undergraduate Program, Lasell University
- Sandra Sarucia, Licensure Office, UMass Amherst
- Jean Silva, Program Supervisor, Curry College
- Amy J Smith, Program Supervisor-Teaching Practicums, Springfield College
- Nicole Stallions, Program Chair Moderate Disabilities and Adjunct Faculty, Cambridge College
- Colleen Tapley, Program Coordinator, UMass Lowell
- Susan Teece, Adjunct Faculty, Springfield College
- Dors Van Gorder, Interim Dean, Cambridge College
- Lydia Young, Teaching Professor, Northeastern University
