6/11/2024

Protecting Your investment: How Lexia LETRS for Administrators Safeguards Your District's Science of Reading Implementation

Introducing the Science of Reading Into Your District

A legislative movement toward evidence-aligned instruction based on decades of research into reading science is growing and accelerating. As EdWeek reports, “Over the past decade, 37 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws or other policies related to evidence-based reading instruction.”

These laws and policies come with the expectation that the time, effort, and resources invested in education will yield maximum benefits. In fact, stakeholders like policymakers and funding bodies demand educational practices demonstrate a measurable impact on student outcomes.

Now, district administrators are faced with pulling together literacy teams to craft a comprehensive plan for implementation that meets those high expectations and represents a solid return on investment.

Keys to a Successful Implementation

District leaders strive for successful and sustainable science of reading implementation. Confidently guiding the change calls for meticulous planning and actionable steps by literacy teams.

With multiple states advancing the evidence-aligned instruction movement, Lexia® has collaborated with districts to develop a guide for successful science of reading implementation. This guide, The Road Map to Successful Education Implementations, explains the steps necessary to ensure this important work stays, grows, and flourishes:

• Assess readiness for transformation
• Engage stakeholders
• Prioritize strategies
• Put the implementation plan into motion

As district administrators lead the charge for effective instructional delivery, they need the knowledge, science, and tools to be effective change agents.

Lexia LETRS for Administrators

Lexia® LETRS® for Administrators is a professional course of study specifically designed to support and inform district and school leaders about Lexia® LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) and the fundamentals of the science of reading.

The course is built from research in implementation science and sustainability, school improvement, and shared leadership. It provides numerous tools for guiding an implementation through its various stages.

Mindful of administrators’ packed schedules, LETRS for Administrators is flexible enough to fit into leaders’ busy lives. The courses are self-paced and on-demand, so administrators can access and complete their professional learning anytime, anywhere.

About Lexia LETRS

Lexia LETRS is the gold standard of professional development for educators. Eighteen research studies provide robust and diverse evidence that LETRS is effective at improving educators’ knowledge of the science of reading.

Developed by Dr. Louisa Moats and leaders in the field of literacy, LETRS teaches the skills needed to master the fundamentals of reading and writing instruction—phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language.

Empowering Teachers

LETRS for Administrators enables leaders to effectively support educators as they engage in the LETRS course of study and work to implement what they’ve learned in their classrooms by:

• Creating alignment between leadership decisions and teachers’ applications in the classroom
• Accessing organized methods and practical tools that can be implemented in the school
• Supporting teachers with the implementation of instruction for students of all literacy levels
• Strengthening the literacy initiative by involving communities and families

School leaders know the most important factor in student success is the teacher. LETRS is the professional learning program that empowers teachers with the essential teaching skills and tools for personalized student instruction that dovetail with the principles identified in the science of reading and Structured Literacy.

The results speak for themselves. Collectively, studies have found that teachers who complete LETRS increase their knowledge of how to deliver science-based reading instruction and their use of high-quality instructional practices.

• Teachers who completed LETRS as part of Mississippi's K–3 Professional Development Initiative earned ratings of instructional quality of, on average, 17 percentile points higher; ratings of teaching competencies were, on average, 16 percentile points higher.
• An American Institutes of Research and MDRC-led study for the Institute of Education Sciences found a strong effect size (0.32) of LETRS on teachers’ use of explicit instruction. When LETRS was paired with ongoing support and practice opportunities, the effect size increased to 0.53.

Providing teachers with evidence-based instructional materials that have been proven effective and the professional learning needed to implement them well can improve job satisfaction and teacher enthusiasm for the implementation.

“Thank you for providing the most valuable training I’ve received in my entire educational career. I now have the knowledge, backed by research, to support my teachers as they create reading success for all students.”
—Gary Robinson, Principal, Indiana

Why Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction Is a Solid Investment

Administrator knowledge of the science of reading ensures top-down literacy support to benefit all students. Here are five ways LETRS for Administrators protects a district’s investment:

1. Ensuring Effective Implementation: By educating administrators about the science of reading through LETRS for Administrators, districts can ensure there is comprehensive understanding and support for the principles and practices advocated in LETRS. This knowledge equips administrators to effectively oversee and support the implementation of literacy instruction at all levels within the district.
2. Alignment and Consistency: When administrators are knowledgeable about the science of reading, they can make certain that instructional practices and interventions across all schools within the district are aligned with evidence-based methodologies. This consistency helps reinforce learning outcomes and ensures resources are directed toward programs that are most effective in improving literacy skills.
3. Data-Driven Decision-Making: LETRS for Administrators equips district leaders with the tools and knowledge to analyze data related to literacy instruction effectively and assess progress. This enables them to make informed decisions about resource allocation, professional development needs, and intervention strategies based on the specific needs of their students and schools.
4. Implementation Fidelity: Administrators trained in evidence-based instruction through LETRS for Administrators can serve as quality assurance agents within the district. They can monitor the fidelity of implementation, provide ongoing support and professional development for teachers, and intervene when necessary to ensure best practices are followed consistently.
5. Long-Term Sustainability: Investing in LETRS for Administrators fosters a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth within the district.

Securing Success for Districts, Educators, and Students

The path to educational excellence is complex. For district leaders to confidently navigate this path and achieve lasting results, they need the right knowledge, tools, and partnerships.

LETRS for Administrators can be the cornerstone for sustainable educational transformation. With this comprehensive professional learning course, district leaders are safeguarding their investment by providing teachers with the knowledge to allow students to succeed in reading and writing.

Educational leadership must guide the change. Our guide, LETRS for Administrators: Transform Literacy Education and Change Lives, is a great place to start.