Published August 27, 2024
The County Office of Education kicked off the 2024-25 school year with efforts to support school districts in implementing the “science of reading” to improve literacy levels across 澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 County.
What is the Science of Reading?
The science of reading uses evidence-based teaching methods grounded in research on how the human brain learns to read. It is not new – in fact, the science of reading is decades in the making and, due to ongoing research, is an ever-evolving concept.
Current research points to the effectiveness of using a structured literacy approach that includes the explicit, systematic, and sequential teaching of the foundations of language – such as how letters sound individually (phonemic awareness) and alongside others within a word (ph
onics) – in addition to vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension.
“The science of reading is not a new concept,” shared Maria Vlahiotis, the County Office of Education’s English Language Arts Coordinator. “Schools and districts used a variety of approaches to teaching reading that they felt best suited the needs of their students, however, some of those approaches were not heavily grounded in the science of reading research.
“Our county office is devoted to bringing the latest research and best practices to every district, every classroom, and every student throughout the county to promote the academic success of all of our students,” continued Maria. “Literacy is a social justice issue and unlocks a world of opportunities for students who possess it. It’s our job to make sure all of our students possess it.”
The Benefits of Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction
Evidence shows that structured literacy has many benefits, including improved reading proficiency, higher levels of comprehension, and reduced disparities in reading achievement among historically underserved student groups, such as students with dyslexia, students who are multilingual learners, or students who come from families with limited income.
As a result, California began a to promote evidence-based literacy instruction to ensure that students are reading by third grade and are fully literate when they graduate from high school.
This approach would significantly support students in 澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 County, where several student groups fell in the two lowest performance levels on the 2023 California School Dashboard, particularly students who identify as Latino/x, students with disabilities, students who speak a language other than English at home, and students whose families are socioeconomically disadvantaged – students who are historically marginalized and face additional barriers to gaining a strong grasp on reading.
“We have seen a history of large discrepancies between student groups across many counties,” explained Maria. “Our job as educators is to provide equitable access to the content, effective first instruction, and tiered support for students so that we can improve student outcomes that support the whole child.”
The Role of the County Office of Education
To assist school districts in embracing this shift towards the science of reading, county offices of education are giving direct support that can be provided more effectively and efficiently at the county level.
For the past few years, the County Office of Education in 澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 County has helped school districts adopt curriculum that aligns with the science of reading. It has also provided technical assistance to district coordinators and created resources that introduce educators to the science of reading.
"Our vision is to empower teachers with research-based practices aligned with the science of reading," explained Dr. Gwenn Lei, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Services at the County Office of Education. "We are actively collaborating across departments to engage district leaders in identifying their specific needs and tailoring or support to address the unique challenges each community faces. This approach ensures that our county office can provide targeted assistance, fostering a strong foundation in literacy for all students."
This year, the County Office of Education has made a concerted effort to help district leaders, educators, families, and community members understand and embrace the science of reading. In spring 2024, the County Office of Education held a screening of , a documentary on how an Oakland Unified School District teacher saw incredible results after discovering and implementing the science of reading during the distance learning necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also hosted a speaker series in late April and May for all across the county to hear from experts on the neuroscience behind the science of reading and best practices when considering multilingual learners and students with dyslexia.
"While districts and schools have historically employed varied approaches to teaching reading, our current guidance encourages teachers to be more deliberate and intentional," explained Dr. Lei. "We are asking educators to incorporate research-based science of reading strategies into their existing literacy instruction, enhancing and refining their practices to better serve all learners. This shift represents a commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that every child receives the most effective reading instruction possible."
In preparation for the new school year, the County Office of Education incorporated the science of reading in its annual Transitional Kindergarten Institute and launched comprehensive, two-year professional learning communities for early childhood and elementary educators and administrators to become literacy and language experts in the science of reading.
On August 2, it kicked off a series to support educators in gaining a deeper understanding of the science of reading, considering student groups when planning instruction, and sharing best practices from experts such as (pictured right). The kick-off event also lifted stories and best practices from local school districts, including the 澳门六合彩开奖记录资料-Foster City School District (SMFCSD), which began implementing the science of reading four years ago.
"Our journey with the science of reading began when a small group of dedicated teachers recognized that too many of our students were struggling to learn how to read and spoke up for change," shared Pamela Bartfield, SMFCSD's Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction. "At the time, newly arrived Superintendent Diego Ochoa brought a fearless commitment to equity and community collaboration, which resulted in developing our transformative five-year strategic plan. Thanks to the dedication of our teachers and principals, we are now seeing significant gains in student reading outcomes. While we’re still in the midst of this journey as we enter year three of our strategic plan, we are continually adapting to meet the needs of our learners and there’s no turning back."
The events have been well received by attendees, who were thankful for the opportunity to dig deeper into the science of reading. They also appreciated the County Office of Education’s coordination of these efforts, which enabled more districts to participate and adopt the science of reading more fully across their school sites.
Next Steps in 澳门六合彩开奖记录资料 County
This school year, the County Office will continue to leverage the expertise of our coordinators, as well as outside experts, so that educators can deepen their understanding and skills in the science of learning. This includes the upcoming led on October 1, 2024, by Dr. Kate Kinsella; as well as sessions beginning at the end of October, led by Tricia Ebarvia, that focus on embedding anti-racist educational practices in classrooms.
“I look forward to deepening my relationships with our county’s school districts and partnering with them on this meaningful work,” said Maria. “I am fortunate to support our first countywide Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) cohort through two years of robust reading instruction. I am excited about the transformative impact we can achieve together—whether through professional development, materials adoptions, or bringing together communities of practice—fostering a brighter future for every student in our community.”