Ep. 161: Back to School: Communicating with Families about Reading Science

Transforming a School to Structured Literacy

To transform a school from balanced literacy to structured literacy, key factors include having teachers on board and educated in reading science, emphasizing relationships, professionalism, and appealing to teachers. Adopting a 'jump in all the way' attitude, aligning curriculum, providing professional development, establishing structures and systems, and building community and parent support are also vital. The goal is to prioritize tier one instruction and gradually expand to address tier two and tier three needs. Crystal Lenhart, a reading specialist, used a parent letter to communicate the changes regarding reading assessments, instruction, and practices. Clear communication, coupled with specific data sharing during parent-teacher conferences, has fostered positive parent feedback and support for the new approach.