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Why?

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) has established the improvement of Grades K–12 student literacy outcomes as one of its top priorities. As a result, Alabama is focused on improving student proficiency in early literacy through the implementation of the Alabama Reading Act in local education agencies (LEAs). The purpose of this capacity-building project is to support ALSDE’s reinstatement of the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) coaching framework, expansion and refinement of current coaching practices, and creation of a cohesive Alabama coaching framework. Through these initiatives, Alabama is striving to build the capacity of educators statewide to deliver instruction grounded in evidence-based literacy practices.

What?

The Region 7 Comprehensive Center (R7CC) supports the ARI to improve student reading proficiency, providing professional development in the Implementation Science of the Alabama Coaching Framework. Project support includes guidance and assistance in reviewing and analyzing current ARI practices and procedures, ensuring alignment to the current evidence base on Grades K–3 literacy development. Additionally, R7CC supports the ARI team in building a system of support for LEAs to help build capacity in evidence-based Grades K–3 literacy instruction, including professional development for regional and local literacy coaches.

Results?

This project is expected to expand the capacity of the ARI team to provide support and assistance to districts, schools, and individual educators in their implementation and use of evidence-based Grades K–3 literacy instructional practices. As a result of ARI’s support and assistance, it is anticipated that districts, schools, and educators will increase their use of evidence-based Grades K–3 literacy instructional practices which will result in improved literacy outcomes in Grades K–3.