Diving into the data on the Early Literacy Success School Grants
The science of reading is complex and layered, but the data is clear: there are proven methods when it comes to teaching children to read that, when combined, lead to success in closing opportunity gaps and raising overall reading comprehension.
The Early Literacy Success Initiative responds to Oregon’s early literacy crisis with targeted funding that provides layered support based on the latest research about how to teach children to read.
Research trials used to underrepresent historically underserved students, but there is evidence that that is no longer the case. The following evidenced-based practices work for BIPOC students, multilingual students, and low-income students.
It is critical that we invest in the culturally responsive, research-proven strategies that have the greatest chance of closing opportunity gaps and raising student achievement. Those research-aligned strategies include:
- Research-aligned literacy coaching to support educators in aligning their classroom instructional practices to research.
- A meta-analysis of 60 studies focused in a diverse range of classrooms across the country over the past decade determined that research-aligned educator coaching is a critical professional learning tool that leads to improved instruction and student outcomes.
- Multilingual learners in classrooms of educators who received professional development and coaching focused on cultural wealth, high-impact instructional strategies, and a framework for collaboration show improved outcomes in their language and literacy skills within one school year.
- Research-aligned, culturally responsive summer learning opportunities that occur at school, a community-based program, or in the home.
- A meta-analysis of 41 classroom and home-based summer reading interventions across the country demonstrated the positive impact of summer reading interventions on reading comprehension. Impacts were greater for low-income children and for children who received research-based instruction.
- Research-aligned high-dosage tutoring for students who need more time and intensive support.
- Tutoring using high-quality, structured instructional materials is effective when delivered in high doses through tutoring programs with three or more sessions per week or intensive, week-long, small-group programs taught by talented teachers.
Source: Accelerating Student Learning with High-Dosage Tutoring
These research-aligned practices will be supported by providing districts with resources to adopt and implement an early literacy curriculum or curricula aligned with the science of reading and writing, provide professional learning opportunities, and promote culturally sustaining instructional practices and materials.
