Special Edition - The Science of Reading
IDOE has collected enough post-pandemic data that they are alarmed by the number of students not reading at grade level.  They are advocating for more foundational work in phonemic awareness and phonics-based decoding in K-2 classrooms.
IDOE Goals
*A statewide increase in student literacy achievement on statewide assessments 
*A better understanding of the Science of Reading:
     *to identify and implement effective instructional practices
     *to prevent reading difficulties
     *to support literacy progress.

Now What?
As a former Curriculum Director, I have put on that multi-faceted hat and wondered what the IDOE focus on the Science of Reading and early literacy means to schools. Recurring questions include:
  1. What resources and instructional practices currently in place align with the early literacy research? How do we know?
  2. What does the data say about the strengths and weaknesses of the current early literacy program? How do we know?
  3. What next steps should be taken? How can we be intentional?

I have attempted to create support documents to guide member schools through the above questions. Again, I put on the Curriculum Director hat with the hopes they are easy to edit to your needs and apply without much work. They are Google Docs - Edit them to fit your needs. As always, our Educational Service Centers are about sharing - Let others know about the work you are doing.

Link: Science of Reading Needs Assessment -This tool is designed to support districts as they evaluate whether their curriculum aligns with the features and components of the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Rope, both of which align with the research base found organized in the Science of Reading.

Link: Science of Reading Next Steps - This tool is designed to plan your early literacy goals and next steps based on data and current resources and instructional practices.

Looking to Inform Your Teachers?
If your role includes providing support for teachers, these slideshows may be timesavers.


“The Science of Reading is a comprehensive body of research that encompasses years of scientific knowledge, spans across many languages, and shares the contributions of experts from relevant disciplines such as education, special education, literacy, psychology, neurology, and more.” IMSE - Journal

Dr. Michelle Grewe
Director of Professional Learning @ NIESC and NWIESC
mgrewe@niesc.k12.in.us
574-214-8981