IRSD Receives State Grant for Early Literacy
The Elementary Department of Instruction at the Indian River School District has been awarded over $146,000 through round two of the Delaware Department of Education’s Bridge to Practice Grant. This investment will further support the district’s literacy mission to ensure that all students become proficient readers by the end of third grade. It also in an investment in the district’s educators, strengthens instructional practices and advances early literacy across all elementary schools.
Additional information from IRSD:
Through this grant, educators and leaders will have access to several connected professional learning opportunities centered on the science of reading, structured literacy, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), effective intervention and instructional leadership.
Early Literacy Leadership Academy (ELLA 2)
ELLA 2 builds upon the first year of the Early Literacy Leadership Academy by supporting school leadership teams as they move from developing a literacy vision to strengthening and sustaining its implementation.
Across five sessions, building administrators and leadership teams will engage in an ongoing cycle of refining, implementing, monitoring and adjusting their literacy plans. Teams will begin by reflecting on their current implementation and refining their literacy vision, goals, action steps, roles and timelines.
The learning will then move more deeply into lesson internalization and meeting the needs of diverse learners, with an emphasis on leveraging PLCs to strengthen instructional practices. Leaders will also refine classroom observation and feedback practices, focusing on student engagement and discourse, as well as how strong Tier 1 instruction supports the needs of all learners.
Additional sessions will focus on monitoring progress and continuous improvement, including building systems that support teachers in collecting, analyzing and responding to student data. The series will conclude with teams reflecting on progress, celebrating growth and developing action plans to sustain and advance the work.
AIM Institute for Learning & Research: Pathways to Proficient Reading
A cadre of up to 50 teachers, specialists and support staff will be able to sign-up to participate in 45 hours of asynchronous professional learning through AIM’s Pathways to Proficient Reading. This learning is designed to deepen educators’ foundational knowledge of the science of reading and structured literacy while connecting reading research and theoretical models to effective classroom practice.
Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to diagnostic and prescriptive literacy instruction and intervention, strengthening their ability to make informed instructional decisions that improve literacy outcomes.
Ultimately, this learning will continue to build our collective knowledge and expertise so that we are better equipped to meet the literacy needs of all learners.
Curriculum-Based Professional Learning for K–3 Paraprofessionals
K–3 instructional paraprofessionals will also benefit from grant-funded professional learning focused on the science of reading, structured literacy and the effective use of high-quality instructional materials.
Professional learning will provide paraprofessionals with a deeper understanding of CKLA K–2 Skills, including how to navigate instructional resources, support classroom instruction and monitor student progress. By strengthening their knowledge of both the why behind literacy instruction and the how of our curriculum, paraprofessionals will be even better prepared to support students during core instruction and MTSS.
Investing in People, Strengthening Literacy
This grant represents much more than additional funding. It is an investment in educators and in the district’s collective capacity to support every reader. By providing meaningful learning opportunities for school leaders, teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals, the district is creating greater coherence in literacy instruction and strengthening the knowledge, systems and practices that surround students each day.
IRSD is incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead and grateful to continue learning, collaborating and growing alongside our elementary educators as we work together to build strong foundations in literacy for every student.