March 2024
Hello,
In like a lion...out like a lamb! We have had some really, really windy-yet warm-weather so it seems we have had a rather warm lion roaring in this year. This issue includes information about promising practices, professional learning opportunities, as well as what to look for this fall regarding supports around the four fundamentals of structured literacy, balanced assessment systems, standards alignment and quality instruction. In this newsletter you will find lots of links to resources and information that might be helpful in planning your district PLC opportunities and/ or summer learning opportunities. Last month, I had some information about Developmental Language Disorder, and I have continued with additional resources as a follow-up.
If you have questions for our team, just ask. Our Literacy Lifeline is available any time!
Wishing you a wonderful and safe spring break! Enjoy, refresh and renew- and of course, read something fun!
Laurie
Dr. Laurie Curtis
KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia Program Manager
Information for Promising Practice
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: This statement was voted upon by the Kansas State Board of Education at their February meeting.
The Kansas State Board of Education requires all accredited schools in Kansas to use evidence-based methodology fully aligned with the Science of Reading, specifically Structured Literacy, to provide literacy instruction for students. The State Board of Education prohibits the use of practices and pedagogy identified in research to be counterproductive to reading acquisition and achievement in addition, the State Board recommends literacy specific universal screening measures, diagnostics, formative and summative assessments to be used in accredited schools and school districts. (February 14, 2024)
What might be counterproductive, based on the science of reading? Examples might include...use of the three cueing system, "popcorn" reading, "round robin reading", etc.
Do you have questions such as... "Why not balanced literacy?" "What is the difference between balanced literacy and structured literacy?" This document from Breaking The Code provides you with a side by side comparison to help define the specific practices of each model of instruction and may be helpful in guiding deeper understanding during discussions on instructional practices.
Developmental Language Disorder- A Truly Hidden Disability
Last month in our newsletter, I provided information about Development Language Disorder. A truly hidden disorder. It is important that educators know how it may present in your classroom, recognize that it is not uncommon and know what types of activities all teachers can do to help our students who have this difference. This month, I wanted to share another resource about what classroom teachers can do to to provide language support in the classroom. The link below provides you with an article you can listen to and specific suggestions that can help all students...and be especially helpful for students who struggle with language.
Reading Universe is a resource still in the development stages, but already has some wonderful information you may find very helpful. Check it out now...and later too as they create more content to share with educators! It promises to be a helpful and practical resource for educators!
"STRIVE for 5! is a hands-on program designed to provide early educators with instant tools and ideas to promote children’s early brain and language development and improve the quality of early learning environments." (Strive for Five website)
They offer additional websites, suggestions for book studies, free document downloads and materials you can use and share, check out their website and/ or their training!
Check out their Resources Tab!
Do you have an early childhood or Pre-K center in your school? Have you heard of Strive for Five and their resources to jump start literacy learning?
The program was developed by early learning educators, researchers, and experts from Too Small to Fail, the National Head Start Association (NHSA), and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). In partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition, a leader in credentialing early childhood educators worldwide, and the administrator of the Childhood Development Associate® (CDA) credential, Strive for 5 program participants will receive 20 training hours in CDA® Subject Area 8: Understanding the Principles of Child Development and Learning. These hours can also be applied towards the renewal of the CDA credential.
For more information, select this link: Strive for Five!
Are you interested in doing what works?
Head to the library!
Are you looking for resources and support for your building or district level PLCs or opportunities for learning how to put evidence-based practices into action in your classrooms? Visit THE DOING WHAT WORKS LIBRARY. Much of the content has been developed by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with WestED. In addition to the section on Literacy, there are links for additional resources for Data-Driven Improvement, Math and Science and Comprehensive Support. You can navigate the resources by topic, type of resource, recency of resource or the rating the resource received by those used it...and you don't even need a library card!
Professional Learning Opportunities
CLUES: What Do We Do with All This Data?
Don't dismay! Our March 19th date at Greenbush in Lawrence is at capacity, but we will work to share this professional learning experience again in the future! Stay tuned! If you are interested in hosting a group of districts coming together for this professional learning, contact me at ELitDyslexia@ksde.org.
A KSDE Professional Development Event
Addressing Balanced Assessment System/ Structured Literacy
FILLED/ NOT ACCEPTING new REGISTRATIONS
March 19, 2024: Greenbush Service Center, Lawrence, KS
Who: PLCs or Building/ District Leadership teams
This professional learning opportunity will provide building and/ or district teams of three more with structures and processes to discuss data and design action steps to improve student outcomes. This day of professional learning is designed for teachers and leaders of any/ all grade levels. Expect a day of discussion, processing, and planning! The discussion for this day will focus heavily on English Language Arts and reading data, however many of the processes can be transferred to other content areas if you chose to implement them at your school site.
SIGN UP FOR LETRS!
Your involvement is crucial for STATE-WIDE success.
The Kansas LETRS Science of Reading Professional Learning Courses provide sustained and job-embedded professional learning about the science of reading, at no cost to educators.
Lexia LETRS® for elementary educators is approved for any Kansas educator at any level who provides reading instruction to students in an accredited public or private school and college/university faculty who teach literacy courses in a KSDE-approved teacher preparation program
LETRS for Administrators is approved for district administrators, district curriculum leaders, and building principals.
Lexia LETRS® for Early Childhood Educators is approved for any Kansas educator who supports early learning for children in pre-K programs
Are you interested in college credit?
Learn how to turn your LETRS Coursework into graduate level credit by selecting this link: Graduate Credit for LETRS
The last cohort begins in August and registration for this group closes in June. For more information, please visit: www.lexialearning.com/kansas-letrs
The Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment is offering Playful Learning Across the Day in Pre-K, a professional development opportunity.
Attendees will discuss everyday routines with playful instructional strategies to help young children develop important early literacy foundational skills integrating print knowledge and phonological awareness.
There are two opportunities to attend. The first session will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 5, 2024, at Emporia State University Memorial Union, MU 231 Skyline Room, in Emporia. Click here to register.
The second session will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6, 2024, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Salina. Click here to register.
Both sessions are free and lunch will be provided.
Stay Tuned for Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities!
Our study on Structured Literacy Interventions was well-received and comes with an amazing Padlet of resources to support your practice of providing interventions. We will be offering it again this coming Fall/Winter via Zoom. Be watching in our April Newsletter for dates and opportunities to register!
Last year many of you joined us for a study on Wiley Blevins' book called A Fresh Look at Phonics. We will be exploring his brand new book, called "Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact: How to Scaffold While-Group Instruction So all Students Can Access Grade-Level Content (Corwin Literacy) this fall. If you want a preview about what this book is about, check out his quick video introduction.
Differentiated Phonics for Maximum Impact Registration will be coming!
We are also hoping to put together a 3–4-week speaker panel/ discussion this summer on dyslexia, dysgraphia and developmental language disorder. More information will be coming in next month's newsletter when dates are formalized and then you will be able to register for this free virtual professional learning opportunity. I hope you can join us for some summer learning!
Important Updates from KSDE
Priority Standards or Prioritization of Standards... KSDE clarification
I have noted in previous newsletters that we do not have state-identified priority standards in Kansas. This new KSDE Fact Sheet will hopefully bring clarification. We do NOT recommend that you determine standards that are the "important ones" and then disregard the teaching of the other standards. All grade level standards should be taught. In ELA, the standards spiral and build on one another, so make sure to teach all standards-at the level of complexity expected at your grade level.
However, as you engage in instruction and assessment you will undoubtably find that there are standards that students struggle to master. You will need to "prioritize" those in intensity or spend extra time on that concept in order to teach to mastery. That is a part of differentiation and good teaching- no problem with prioritizing based on your data!
Priority Standards or Prioritization of Standards...words matter!
As more knowledge building curriculums are being adopted, teachers are asking important questions! They want to know if they are using a knowledge-based curriculum that includes content in science and social studies- can they extend the time for the literacy block of instruction and then eliminate the time needed in the day for specifically teaching science and/ or social studies. KSDE has recently provided the guidance document below. The important thing to remember is that reading about science is not the same as "doing science" and just because a textbook company puts in a unit about an event in history, doesn't mean that its content is aligned with our Kansas state standards.
Creating a meaningful plan for integrating disciplines during the day can enhance learning for multiple content areas. Providing a carefully chosen to read aloud during a literacy block can build background for science, math, art or social studies instruction later in the day. There are ways to be creative and purposeful in making sure all students are provided a rich experience in all content areas.
FastBridge Information via Kansas MTSS & Alignment
Is FastBridge your universal screener? If you are wishing you had more information and insight about using it, the Kansas MTSS & Alignment team has something you may find helpful. Please use the link below to access questions and responses/ resources to provide additional assistance that may answer possible questions you may have had as you use it and the reports generated regarding student progress.
Lingering Questions from January 2024 FastBridge Regional Training Evaluations
Literacy Lifeline Questions/ Answers
Do you have a question?
If you have a question and would like some help in solving it...or want to consult with someone on the Early Literacy/ Dyslexia team, you can do so by completing this brief form: KSDE Literacy Lifeline Request Form
On the form you can request a day/ time to visit virtually with someone on our team or you can ask a question and receive a response to your question via email if that is better... or you are welcome to pose a question you would like addressed in this newsletter and we will try to provide that information in a future issue. Just know... we are here to help!
The Four Fundamentals: Reasons to Celebrate!
Friends, Alfredo and Fun! USD 494 Syracuse...Well Done!
On February 15, 2024 Syracuse Elementary hosted a 3rd grade reading night. The families of all 3rd grade students were invited to the event. The reading night started out with the sharing of a chicken alfredo dinner. After dinner the 3rd grade students left, along with their siblings, to do activities with teachers and high school cheerleaders who volunteered their time. This allowed the parents to learn about the Every Child Can Read Act, K.S.A. 72-3262, and what evidence- based curriculum is being used in the classrooms. The parents were also informed about how the brain learns to read with a short presentation.
Parents were split into 4 groups to rotate through different stations:
Data: parents were given their child's reading data and how to read the data along with what intervention they were receiving.
Reading: parents were informed about the importance of reading with your child and different ways to share reading with children.
Resources: parents were given information about the Kansas Library Card, Tumble books and Cloud Library as resources for getting reading materials.
Instruction: parents were informed about how phonics and spelling are used in the classroom with simple definitions explaining the terms educators use.
Reading Challenge: parents were given the "3rd Grade Reading Challenge". This is a calendar created by the teachers with different reading activities to do each day. They are to fill this out and bring it back to school for their name to be entered into a drawing for various prizes.
Thank you USD 494 for sharing this idea!
If you are experiencing some amazing success, reason to celebrate...doing something well to enhance one of the Four Fundamentals or you know of another teacher or school who is doing something others can learn from...please let me know so we can learn from one another. Send your ideas to me at ELitDyslexia@ksde.org.
Have a wonderful and happy spring break!
I appreciate you and the work you do!
If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter, please ask them to contact me at ELitDyslexia@ksde.org to request being added to the Early Literacy/ Dyslexia listserv, or visit the KSDE Dyslexia page and select the purple HERE button and select Newsletter to see the current and past issues.