Written by Lisa Brown, MDE

Improving literacy is part of Michigan’s strategic plan to become a top 10 in 10 State. While it will take a multi-faceted approach, beginning with quality tier one, instruction is key. The Early Literacy Task Force (ELTF), a subgroup of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA), General Education Leadership Network (GELN) set out to collect the highest quality research around literacy instruction and compile it in a way that would be easily understood by educators.

The Product: The K-3 Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy.

This document is not their only document designed to support improving literacy throughout the state. In fact, the ELTF has produced a continuum of supports including the Prek- K Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy, 4-5 Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy, School-Wide and Center-Based Practices in Literacy, Essential Coaching Practices in Elementary Literacy and 6-12 Practices in Literacy in progress. 

All of the documents can be found at literacyessentials.org where free instructional modules to support the practices are also housed. Early Literacy Coaches employed by the intermediate school districts have been coaching around the K-3 Essential Instructional Practices since their inception. And now, with the support of the modules, ISD and district coaches have more tools to support classroom teachers.

How Coaches are Using the Essentials Documents

While coaches all throughout are coaching around the K-3 Essentials, I invited two leaders from two regions in the state to share how they have been inspired to scale up the literacy work in their regions, at the West Michigan Education Leadership Conference on December 12th.

Heather Phelps from Saginaw ISD shared how districts in her county embraced the idea that every district employs an early literacy coach. Currently ten out of twelve districts have a coach with the hope of adding more.  She shared how districts have committed fiscal resources and designated personnel to be part of their coaching network and how the essentials are the core of their coaching support.

Mellissa Wilson from Lenawee ISD shared how her region helped engage community members in supporting the literacy endeavor. She collaborated with their local Goodwill to get books into classrooms and engaged foster grandparents in supporting quality read alouds.

Don’t miss Kent ISD’s blog post from earlier this month on read alouds, click here to read the post. 

Kent ISD Early Literacy Coaches are providing every elementary building in Kent County with a box of spiral bound Essential Practices in Early and Elementary Literacy to distribute to all of their staff members.  Each building should receive their box between now and spring break. If a building did not receive their box by March 30th or if you need additional booklets please visit  bit.ly/essentialscopies

Get inspired. Make a difference.

Saginaw, Lenawee and Kent counties have committed to literacy. If you are wondering how you might make an impact in your region, visit literacyessentials.org and read the practices.

Learn more about the top 10 in 10 initiative on April 27th at Kent ISD. To register for the Top 10 in 10 Education Roadshow, click here.

This blog post was written by Lisa Brown, MDE and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Development Coordinator at Kent ISD.