Learning Ally

Disunity in Reading Instruction: The High Cost of Confusion
2022-11-30 02:00 - 03:00 (America/New_York)
Students follow the instruction their teacher provides. However, if they learn disproven methods, like 3-cueing, in a general education class and then move to decoding methods in intervention, they simply follow the directions for that specific moment. Students cannot possibly know which reading method is appropriate or harmful. This disunity in reading instruction causes confusion, stress, and detrimental outcomes for students and educators alike. Therefore, we must address this critical conflict now.
In this essential edWebinar, we will provide clear examples of the harm that instructional disunity creates. More importantly, you will learn how educators can lead change to implement a unified, effective approach. We will focus specifically on why all schools must adopt evidence-based reading practices across all learning spaces.
Actionable Steps for Unified Literacy Instruction:
This session empowers you to become a change agent within your school or district. Viewers will:

Understand the significant harm and setbacks created for students when disunity in reading instruction is present.
Be convinced of the dire need to teach evidence-based reading practices aligned to the Science of Reading in every space and place where students are learning.
Walk away with immediate, actionable steps on how to begin leading your school toward a unified path of instruction.

This recorded edWebinar is highly relevant for K-12 teachers, reading specialists, and school and district leaders looking to align their literacy programs.
Register to watch!

Dyslexia: Biases, Barriers, and Breakthroughs
2022-10-13 14:00 - 15:00
Research clearly identifies effective interventions for children with dyslexia. Still, the evaluation process remains often unclear and inconsistent. Disturbingly, Black students frequently receive fewer intensive resources to address their challenges. This happens for various reasons, including unconscious biases and lower expectations. An accurate dyslexia diagnosis can change the game for all students. This is especially true for those who risk being left behind if their needs go unmet.
In this vital edWebinar, speaker Jeannette Roberes addresses critical flaws in the evaluation process. She explores key principles impacting marginalized students who often face under- or misdiagnosis. Furthermore, we examine the historical perspective of testing. This helps us understand current systemic barriers to a dyslexia diagnosis.
Key Insights on Dyslexia Evaluation and Equity:
This session provides clear, actionable knowledge for K-12 educators. Viewers will learn:

Specific, identifiable barriers to a dyslexia diagnosis that disproportionately affect marginalized students.
What types of standardized tests make up a complete, thorough dyslexia evaluation.
Which core literacy skills an equitable assessment must meticulously measure.

This recorded edWebinar is essential for K-12 teachers, special educators, and district leaders. We must commit to equitable, research-backed practices to ensure every student gets the support they need.
Register to watch now!

The Simple View of Educational Success: Lessons from the Field
2022-09-20 14:00 - 15:00
What truly makes a school succeed against the odds? In this powerful edLeader Panel, Rebecca Miles, an early literacy coach consultant, shares her compelling practitioner’s story. She recounts the transformation of her former school and her attempts to replicate that success county-wide. Through these experiences, both successful and challenging, she developed a powerful framework: The Simple View of Educational Success. This model provides a clear formula for achieving true equitable instruction.
Rebecca will share lessons learned from schools and their leadership. She identifies critical factors that drive high-performing schools, especially those overcoming significant barriers. Furthermore, she outlines actionable strategies you can use to implement this framework in your own setting, regardless of your school’s starting point.
Key Insights on Educational Leadership and Equity:
This session provides school and district leaders with proven strategies for transformative change. Viewers will:

Examine the components of The Simple View of Educational Success.
Learn how leaders at all levels can foster equitable instruction by focusing on foundational elements.
Hear inspiring real-world examples of schools that achieved remarkable success by applying this simple, yet powerful, framework.
Discover practical steps for implementing this formula to promote systemic school improvement.

This recorded edLeader Panel is essential for K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders committed to accelerating student achievement through equity and effective leadership.
Register to watch today!

We’ll Have What They’re Having: Exponential Reading Growth that Counts
2022-07-26 14:00 - 15:00
Achieving exponential growth in reading is the ultimate goal for every district leader. However, solving the literacy crisis requires more than just hope; it demands actionable plans and proven strategies. In this inspiring webinar, we open the doors to leaders from two distinct districts: the East Orange School District in New Jersey and the Lake Elsinore Unified School District in California. They share their blueprints for success and explain how they continuously improve literacy outcomes for their students.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Intervention to Inclusion
For years, many districts relied on pull-out methods for struggling readers. Shannon Pinck and Kate Dampier from Lake Elsinore describe how this approach often limited access to the core curriculum and separated students from their peers. In this session, you will discover how they shifted their mindset. Instead of removing students, they brought the intervention directly to the classroom. Consequently, they ensured that students with disabilities and those in general education interventions could access rigorous, standards-based curriculum alongside their classmates.
Igniting a Culture of Reading
Yukima Vannoy of East Orange shares how her district tackled flatlining reading scores by making reading relevant and exciting. You will hear about their massive success with initiatives such as the “10-day instructional cycle” and the Summer Reading Launch Party. By treating reading as a community celebration—complete with food trucks, marching bands, and local authors—East Orange fostered a genuine love for literacy. As a result, they witnessed a staggering 900% increase in reading volume over two years.
The Role of Human-Read Audiobooks
Both districts utilized a specific, powerful tool to bridge the gap: human-read audiobooks. The panelists explain how the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution allowed students to access grade-level content, regardless of their decoding levels. This approach reduces cognitive load, builds vocabulary, and boosts student confidence. You will hear touching stories of students who, for the first time, realized they could be readers and join conversations about popular books like Harry Potter.
Aligning with the Science of Reading
Finally, this session touches on the critical balance required by the Science of Reading. The speakers discuss how they integrate foundational skills with language comprehension to support the whole child. By ensuring students have equitable access to rich text, these leaders are preparing students not just for tests, but for life.
Join us to learn how you can replicate this success and drive exponential reading growth in your district. Register now!
