Evidence-based Early Literacy PLC - Cohort 1

This professional learning community (PLC) was established as part of MA DESE’s commitment to advancing evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices across the state. This PLC is being facilitated by The Reading Circuit and EdLighten Solutions to help faculty ensure that they successfully teach candidates evidence-based early literacy practices that are aligned to the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

Please see our early literacy resource page for an organized repository of resources.  Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  This page is for Cohort 1, please click here for the Cohort 2 PLC.  

THE READING CIRCUIT, INC.
The Reading Circuit logo

Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Sessions

The first cohort’s next round of sessions will begin in the fall of 2024. These collaborative working sessions will include focused topics, breakout rooms, and deeper dives to ensure your programs align with ELPAC. The topics will be finalized after participants complete the registration form which will identify needs, interests, and availability. 

The 8 collaborative working sessions are scheduled for the second Thursday of the month from 9:30 – 11am.  Four will be led by the The Reading Circuit and include a mix of entire cohort and breakout rooms.  The other four alternating meetings will be small group working sessions.
 
1: TRC Entire Cohort – October 10th, Th 9:30 – 11am

2: Working Session – November 14th, Th 9:30 – 11am

3. TRC Entire Cohort – December 12th, Th 9:30 – 11am

4: Working Session – January 9, Th 9:30 – 11am
5: TRC Entire Cohort – February 13th, Th 9:30 – 11am
6: Working Session – March 13th, Th 9:30 – 11am
7: Working Session – April 10th, Th 9:30 – 11am
8: TRC Entire Cohort – May 8th, Th 9:30 – 11am

Previous PLC Spring 2024 Sessions

Session Objectives:

  • Meeting all participants, partners and facilitators
  • Resources for participants, including website and self-assessment tool
  • Overall goals of the PLC
  • Sharing process of change, including pitfalls and successes, facilitated by David Chard of BU Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
  • Sharing areas of current strength and need in educator preparation programs

Agenda
Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria

Session Objectives:

  • Refining group and participant goals 
  • Unpacking the self-assessment tool
  • Alignment with DESE’s focus on equitable instruction
  • Articulating the equity focus of early literacy instruction facilitated by Giordana Basta of Curry College

Agenda
Self-Assessment Tool
DESE Presentation – Equity Through Early Literacy
CLSP Talking Points
Self-Assessment Sample 1
Self-Assessment Sample 2
Mock Interview Questions

Session Objectives:

  • Continued unpacking of the self-assessment tool
  • Discussion of uniting faculty across disciplines, facilitated by John Hosp of UMass Amherst

Agenda

Resources

Session Objectives:

  • What adjustments need to be made and what are successful practices for students at the various levels of practice (introduction, practice and demonstration)?
  • Discussion facilitated by Priscilla Nelson and Julia D’Onofrio of Gordon College on the process of aligning criteria for educator preparation programs

Agenda

Resources from MA DESE

Textbook and Conference Suggestion List

Session Objectives:

  • Understanding the definition and characteristics of students at risk for, or identified with dyslexia
  • Identifying cross-cutting ideas from Mass Literacy and MA Dyslexia Guidelines
  • Discussion on dyslexia, reading disabilities and ADHD facilitated by Joanna Christodoulou of MGH-IHP

Agenda

Dyslexia Myths

Session 5 Shared Resources

Session Objectives:

  • Sharing resources on assessment tools
  • Sharing resources and practices on data-based decision making
  • Sharing resources on early literacy screening tools
  • DESE supports and initiatives
  • Discussion on assessment and data
  • Facilitated by Nancy Nelson of Boston University

Agenda

DESE Resources

Additional Resources

Session Objectives:

  • Sharing resources on required and recommended readings
  • Sharing resources on videos
  • Sharing resources on access to high quality instructional materials
  • Sharing resources on culturally and linguistically sustaining practices
  • Discussion on successful field-based partnerships facilitated by Christina Cassano at Salem State

Agenda

Christina’s Presentation

Additional Resources

Session Objectives:

  • DESE resources regarding Multilingual learners shared by Linda Sewnarine, Assistant Director of Literacy
  • Examining the 5 strands of the ELPAC
  • Next steps and resources

Agenda

Self-Assessment Tool

NCIL Resources 

DESE Resources

Additional Resources

Resources for Educator Preparation Faculty

Please visit the early literacy resource page for an organized repository of resources developed during the Professional Learning Community. Below are a few other helpful resources.
 

Reports
• NAEP – The National Assessment of Educational Progress
• NCTQ: Teacher Prep Review – National Council on Teacher Quality – Teacher Prep Review – Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction

Science of Reading
• Infographic on What SoR is and is not from the National Center for Improving Literacy
• Science of Reading: Defining Guide from The Reading League

Structured Literacy
• Infographic from the International Dyslexia Association

 

MA DESE Resources

Lindsay Zorich, Assistant Director of Educator Preparation, Center for Instructional Support

Jessica Bazinet, Educator Preparation Literacy Specialist, Center for Instructional Support

Mass Literacy – Statewide effort to empower educators with the evidence-based practices for literacy that all students need.

Early Literacy in Educator Preparation – Resources for Ed Prep Program Faculty including Early Literacy Program Criteria so that all teacher candidates have access to information about literacy and language acquisition that is based in current evidence. 

Early Literacy Observation Form – A form to support educator preparation supervisors to observe and provide high-quality feedback to teacher candidates.

Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices
• Center for Instructional Support Guidance and Resources
• Center for Instructional Support Video Library
• Pathways to Equity in Early Literacy from Mass Literacy
• The Foundations of Early Literacy as a Tool for Equity – Webinar
• Culturally Responsive Practices in Early Literacy – Webinar
• Early Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners – Webinar
• DESE’s Educational Vision

Literacy Grants
• Grant Details – Higher Education Faculty Participation in Early Literacy Professional Learning Community
• Grant Details –  Early Literacy Consortium Grant

Professional Learning Community Members

The following PLC community members have chosen to have their information shared.  Please reach out and collaborate.

  • Valerie J.C. Annear, Director of Educator Prep & Licensure/Adjunct Professor, Springfield College
  • Shannon Audley, Associate Professor of Education and Child Study, Smith College
  • Giordana Basta, Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Curry College
  • Colette Bidus, Adjunct Professor – Program Supervisor, Springfield College
  • Maria José Botelho, Professor of Language, Literacy & Culture (with expertise in K-12 Literacy Education), University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Jennifer Bryson, Senior Lecturer (clinical faculty), Program Director for Elementary Education, and the Special Director for Educator Preparation Early Literacy Initiatives at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
  • Diane Carroll, Field Placement Coordinator, Education Department, Anna Maria College
  • Christina Cassano, Professor of Childhood Education and Care at Salem State University
  • David Chard, Dean of Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
  • Joanna Christodoulou, Director of BEAM Lab & Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions
  • John Cipora, Associate Professor of Education, Springfield College
  • Lynn Dole, Coordinator of Teacher Education at Smith College
  • Maleka Donaldson, Associate Professor of Education and Child Study, Smith College
  • Julia D’Onofrio, Instructor in Education at Gordon College
  • Leandra Elion, Tufts University Lecturer, The Reading Circuit President, Focus: Dyslexia and Equitable Opportunities
  • Katie Galdamez, Curriculum and Opportunity Development Manager, Collaborative for Educational Services
  • Ronda Goodale, Program Chair, Early Education and Care, Cambridge College
  • Melisa Grandison, Director of Residency, Teach Western Mass
  • Terri Griffin, Professor of Education, Westfield State University
  • Stephanie Grimaldi, Professor at Westfield State University
  • Phyllis Hakeem, Instructor & Lead Practicum Supervisor & MTEL Prep., Bay Path University
  • Andrea Hickson-Martin, Chair, Education Programs, Elms College
  • John Hosp, Program Coordinator Special Education and Professor, UMass Amherst College of Education
  • Sam Intrator, Professor and Chair of the Education and Child Study Program, Smith College
  • Alexandra Lauterbach, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Kristen Lech, Director of Graduate Programs in Special Education and ESL, Bay Path University
  • Christine Leighton, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Emmanuel College
  • Rebekah Louis, Director/Asst. Professor, Graduate Teacher Education at Stonehill College
  • Liza Manchester, Field Placement Manager, Collaborative for Educational Services
  • Nancy Nelson, Assistant Professor at BU, Deputy Director of the National Center on Improving Literacy, Lead for Literacy Center
  • Priscilla Nelson, Richard F Gross Endowed Professor at Gordon College
  • Kerri Olore, Assistant Professor – Department of Special Education, Bridgewater State University
  • Maryanne Palmer, Adjunct Professor; CAP Program Supervisor, Emmanuel College
  • Lianna Pizzo, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and Care, UMass Boston
  • Laura Porter, Practicum Director/Assistant Professor, Elms College
  • Sandra Sarucia, Licensure Office, UMass Amherst
  • Jean Silva, Program Supervisor, Curry College
  • Susan Teece, Adjunct Faculty, Springfield College