Launch of ExcelinEd’s Early Literacy Coaching Modules: Empowering Educators for Success in the Classroom

ExcelinEd promotes 18 principles of comprehensive early literacy policy that support teachers, administrators, students and families with strategies to improve literacy outcomes.

One of those principles is the adoption and deployment of literacy coaches trained in the science of reading. Literacy coaches serve a critical role in supporting teachers by providing job-embedded professional development. These professionals work directly with teachers to improve classroom practice and, ultimately, student reading achievement. To date, 26 states have adopted and are in the process of implementing literacy coaching.

To help support their efforts, ExcelinEd, in partnership with the Florida Center for Reading Research, has developed a new professional learning resource: Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching. This comprehensive set of educational sessions is available at no cost to state and district leaders who are responsible for building skills and capacity among educators serving as literacy coaches. 

The training resources will equip literacy coaches with research-backed skills and strategies needed to support teachers from kindergarten through eighth grade. With coaching support, teachers will be able to deliver more effective reading instruction and promote literacy achievement among young learners.

The Importance of Early Literacy

Research consistently confirms the critical role early literacy plays in a child’s educational journey. Children who develop strong reading skills in the early years are more likely to succeed academically and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Unfortunately, some educators face challenges in providing high-quality literacy instruction. For many, this is due to lack of targeted training and coaching support. ExcelinEd designed this instructional program for literacy coaches to help address that gap.

Overview of the Coaching Modules

The Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching comprises interactive modules tailored for literacy coaches and educational leaders, covering key topics needed for their success.

Here are some highlights:

1. Evidence-Based Strategies: All the modules are grounded in research-backed practices aligned with the science of reading. Coaches will learn effective techniques to assess and improve teaching and learning.
2. Coaching Framework: Throughout the program, participants will gain insights into the coaching cycle, focusing on planning, implementation and reflection. This structured approach ensures that educators can support one another and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
3. Tailored Professional Development: All the modules are designed to be flexible and adaptable, catering to the unique needs of different educational settings. This personalized approach empowers educators to implement strategies that will best serve their specific student populations.
4. Collaborative Learning: ExcelinEd emphasizes the importance of collaboration in professional development. The modules encourage peer-to-peer learning and provide opportunities for coaches to share experiences and best practices.
5. Practical Tools and Resources: Each module includes actionable resources, such as lesson plans, instructional strategies and assessment tools, enabling educators to immediately apply what they learn in their classrooms.

The Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching is divided into two parts, each comprising several modules. Part I includes modules on the following topics: 1) Applying Principles and Practices that Foster a Positive Culture; 2) Applying Effective Pedagogy and Andragogy; and 3) Data to Inform Professional Learning.

Part II, which will be released in November 2024, covers these topics: 4) Planning, Implementing, and Analyzing Literacy Instruction; 5) Growing Professionally; and 6) Planning and Implementing Coaching.

Each module is comprised of three learning sessions. Delivery time for each session ranges in length from 120 to 175 minutes.

Supporting Educators and Students

As ExcelinEd works to close the gap between research and practice, we invite education leaders and coaches to use these modules to grow their professional knowledge and capabilities. By engaging with the literacy coaching modules, educators can enhance their skills, connect with fellow professionals and contribute to a movement dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for all students.

For more information on the early literacy coaching modules or to get started using these resources, visit ExcelinEd’s Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching landing page. If you have questions about the resource, please contact Casey Sullivan Taylor at casey@excelined.org.