#USA #Princeton #Learning Ally #SLA program #DGLF

Transforming Literacy Education

Learning Ally, an educational nonprofit, has recently made headlines with the announcement of a Hanover Research evaluation that demonstrates the impact of its Structured Literacy in Action (SLA) program. This innovative program seeks to enhance the teaching of literacy systems in schools across the country, transitioning from fragmented initiatives to comprehensive, district-wide professional learning strategies, fueled by support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF).

Key Findings and Metrics

The research reviewed feedback from over 230 educators nationwide, revealing substantial changes in instructional methods and student success rates post-implementation of the SLA program. Before participating in this initiative, fewer than 12% of the surveyed educators provided regular explicit instruction in critical areas such as phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. However, the results following the intervention were remarkable:

• - 83% of educators now engage students with explicit reading comprehension instruction.
• - 76% of educators ensure explicit vocabulary instruction in their classrooms.
• - 77% of educators are delivering explicit reading fluency instruction on a daily or multi-weekly basis.

These shifts underscore a deeper trend towards better-equipping educators to foster literacy skills among students of diverse backgrounds.

Positive Impacts on Student Learning

Among the remarkable breakthroughs highlighted in this evaluation, an overwhelming 93% of educators reported observable positive effects on student learning specifically in phonics and reading comprehension. Additionally, 90% of educators noted improvements in student vocabulary comprehension and retention. An impressive 84% of teachers indicated an increase in student confidence regarding critical literacy skills, jumping from 67% pre-program to a robust perception of success that teachers attribute to the SLA initiative.

Brent Hartsell, the Senior Director of Professional Learning at Learning Ally, emphasizes the substantial role of comprehensive, district-wide approaches in achieving these outcomes. He stated, "This independent evaluation serves as powerful evidence that systemic, district-wide professional learning turns the science of reading into sustainable classroom reality."

The Human Connection Behind the Metrics

While numbers and statistics demonstrate the effectiveness of the SLA program, the true essence lies in the personal experiences of educators. Bianca Dino, Manager of Professional Learning, articulated the deeper emotional connection, saying, "The rest happens in the moment an educator watches a struggling student finally succeed, and realizes they can do it again tomorrow." Such moments illustrate the program's mission to empower educators while fostering a supportive learning environment for all students.

The Role of Funding and Community Engagement

The transformation marked by the SLA program was further supported by the funding from DGLF. Educators across the country have testified to the significance of this backing, especially amid tight district budgets. Catherine Prall, a Reading Specialist at Fairfield Public Schools, shared how critical this funding was for engaging all literacy teachers in a unified training session, describing it as a monumental achievement that might not have been possible without the grant.

Promoting Equity and Inclusion

A key takeaway from the research speaks to the program's impact on equity among students of varied backgrounds, including multilingual learners and special education students. The percentage of teachers reporting extreme effectiveness for these groups surged significantly: from 19% to 59% for multilingual learners, and from 22% to 59% for special education students.

Teachers noted an increase not just in engagement, but also how well students could apply the skills they learned, leading to a newfound confidence in their reading abilities. An intervention teacher remarked, "I saw not only how it is helping the students to be active learners, but it also helps by encouraging students to put the skills they are learning to use. This, in turn, affects their confidence and helps them to learn to love to read."

About Learning Ally

Learning Ally has a rich 75-year history dedicated to empowering educators and tackling systemic equity gaps for students facing reading challenges, including those with dyslexia. As a mission-driven partner, Learning Ally provides evidence-based professional learning solutions aimed at unlocking the academic potential of every learner. More information can be found at LearningAlly.org.

In a world where inclusive education is paramount, Learning Ally's Structured Literacy in Action program continues to set a benchmark for transformative educational practices, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed regardless of their literacy challenges.