Description
This course empowers educators to examine how to establish a professional learning culture that is integral to the daily literacy and leadership practices of the school. Efforts should emphasize providing professional development in evidence-based reading and writing practices that result in delivering a strong universal core curriculum and data-based interventions that effectively close gaps in student performance. The course will allow educators to see the importance of collectively examining and establishing shared beliefs about literacy and learning.
This course moves beyond management, providing theoretical understanding and practical tools to drive significant gains in literacy outcomes.
By engaging with this content, educators will be transformed into leaders that can:
- Develop and inspire a clear vision for literacy.
- Understand and support research-based literacy instruction.
- Build capacity through professional development and collaboration.
- Make informed, data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
- Create equitable and inclusive literacy environments.
This course is for professional development credit only. VirtualSC PD courses do not count towards any type of degree.
Course Outline
Week 1: Student Orientation
Week 2: Embracing the Possibilities: Leadership Styles and the Vision for Literacy
Week 3: Empowering Every Reader: Building a Foundation for Literacy Through Universal Instruction
Week 4: Designing Comprehensive Reading Assessments: A Framework for Literacy Success
Week 5: The Power of Tiered Intervention: A Focused Approach to Reading Success
Week 6: From Data to Instruction: The Reading Roadmap
Week 7: Leading with the 4Ts: Building a Collaborative Culture for Literacy Transformation
Prerequisites
This is an advanced level course for teachers, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers with Internet access. They will also need speakers and a microphone (or a headset or telephone) to participate in the Virtual Meeting sessions. In addition, participants should be proficient with browsing the Internet, uploading and downloading content, navigating to computer files, and with using word processing software, email, and attachments.
This course is one of four that leads to certification as a literacy specialist. Prior to completion of this course, the participant should have already successfully completed each of the following courses:
- All courses leading to the R2S Literacy Teacher Endorsement.
- Foundations of Reading
- Content Area Reading and Writing (any approved “Content Area Reading and Writing” course)
- Instructional Practices
- Assessment of Reading
- All courses leading to the R2S Coach Endorsement.
- Principles of Literacy Coaching
- Action Research for Literacy Coaches
Required Materials
It’s Possible!: A Leadership Plan for Implementing Quality Reading Instruction and Ensuring Literacy for All (Increase reading proficiency for all students.) by Pati Montgomery, Angela Hanlin, and Jan Hasbrouck is a required professional book for this class. It can be ordered from Amazon in paperback for $36. It is available on a variety of digital platforms for various lower costs as well. All materials in this course are the property of the South Carolina Department of Education Office of VirtualSC PD. All course materials needed/required for the workshop, other than the book listed above, are available online.
Registration
When you register for a graduate course there are two steps: first with VirtualSC PD and then with The College of Charleston. Upon registration with VirtualSC PD, directions will be emailed to you for completing registration with The College of Charleston. Check the email used to create your Genius account often.
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- Registration with The College of Charleston is required for each graduate course in order for credit to be awarded.