Laura Dyer

Although most states have passed science of reading legislation, ensuring strong implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction in classrooms has been a challenge. State education agencies across the Mid-Atlantic are investing in literacy coaching to strengthen classroom instruction and support teachers’ use of evidence-based literacy practices.

Addressing today's education challenges requires timely insights that decision makers can use. Through research-practice partnerships, our REL Mid-Atlantic teams are working alongside education leaders to use data, research, and evidence to inform policy, programs, and practice.

Across the country, literacy is a top priority for state education agencies. Developing a strong literacy system requires significant effort, including thoughtful decisions about selecting instructional materials; strengthening educators’ professional development; designing screening systems; and establishing routines to implement, monitor, and improve initiatives over time.

The new Toolkit to Support Evidence-Based Writing Instruction in Grades 2–4 offers free professional development resources to help educators incorporate modeling into their writing instruction. It highlights modeling as a practice that supports two essential elements of strong writing instruction at the same time: building a writing community and teaching students to use the writing process.

With cold and flu season upon us, it can feel like our kids are out of school more than they are in school. Illnesses are disruptive to their routines; they miss their friends; and, most importantly, they miss opportunities to learn. Health-related absences were a common occurrence before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now, after experiencing a global health crisis, kids are more likely to be kept or sent home if they're showing signs of infectious illness even if they feel well enough to engage ...