Foster Equity in Learning Through Structured Literacy: A Practical Checklist for School Leaders

Transform your school's reading instruction with proven strategies rooted in the science of reading. Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2024 “Back to Basics” initiative underscores the urgent need for evidence-based approaches in New York schools, ensuring every student has access to high-quality education. As a school leader, adopting Structured Literacy is crucial in fostering instructional equity and improving literacy outcomes across your classrooms.

Structured Literacy is more than just a teaching method—it's the practical application of decades of research, translating the science of reading into effective classroom practices. This approach provides the tools and strategies necessary to meet students where they are and guide them toward success. Research shows 95% of students have the potential to master literacy skills with high-quality instruction, and Structured Literacy offers a path to ensuring every child, regardless of their challenges, can succeed.

This checklist is designed to help school leaders like you implement Structured Literacy principles effectively. It guides you through essential practices, such as providing explicit instruction, teaching reliable spelling patterns, and delivering systematic, cumulative lessons. The checklist also outlines common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring your instructional approach is inclusive and effective.

Incorporating Structured Literacy into your curriculum is a commitment to educational equity. It ensures every student, regardless of background or challenges, has the opportunity to become a confident, skilled reader. Lexia® offers evidence-based professional development and instructional programs that align with these principles, providing the support every teacher and student deserves.

Ready to transform literacy instruction at your school? Dive into the checklist, "Foster Equity in Learning Through Structured Literacy," to ensure your practices align with research-proven methods.

Read the Interactive Checklist