September 8th is International Literacy Day, a global celebration of the power of reading and the importance of literacy for all learners. Today, we shine a spotlight on the essential work happening in classrooms across our region—and reaffirm our commitment to supporting educators and students on their literacy journeys.
How We Support Literacy in Our Region
Our Green Hills AEA Literacy Team provides a wide range of services to help educators strengthen literacy instruction and improve student outcomes. Our Literacy Consultants offer professional development and coaching in several key areas:
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The Science of Reading
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Implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)
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Specially Designed Literacy Instruction for students with reading disabilities
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Early Literacy Implementation (ELI) support, including data review and intervention planning
Our goal is to ensure every student has access to effective, evidence-based reading instruction.
Spotlight on LETRS Training
One of our key focus areas is LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a nationally recognized, research-based professional development program. LETRS equips educators with the knowledge and tools to understand the science of reading and apply it in the classroom. Our GHAEA Literacy Consultants are trained LETRS facilitators and actively partner with districts to provide building-wide professional learning and coaching.
Literacy Progress in Green Hills AEA Schools
We’re proud to share that ISASP English Language Arts scores have increased for all student groups across the Green Hills region over the past five years. Notably:
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Literacy proficiency for students with IEPs has shown consistent improvement
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85% of districts in our region have adopted High-Quality Instructional Materials
These gains reflect the dedication of our educators and the strong partnerships we’ve built across schools and districts. We're proud to walk alongside you in this important work. Let’s continue working together to ensure that every student becomes a confident, capable reader. Happy International Literacy Day from all of us at Green Hills AEA!
Connect With Us
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of the science of reading, implement new instructional materials, or improve literacy outcomes for struggling readers, we’re here to help.
Reach out to our Literacy Consultants for more information or support:
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Karen Hesse – khesse@ghaea.org
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Sally Johnston – sjohnston@ghaea.org