Empowered by Partnership: A District’s Journey Toward Comprehensive Literacy for All

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

instruction, literacy & inclusion

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

beginner

Age Span:

preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist
autism specialist
consultant
deaf / hard of hearing
educator
family member / caregiver
K-12 administration
occupational therapist
paraprofessional
physical therapist
special educator
speech language pathologist
teacher of the visually impaired
vision impairment specialist

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Plaza 5

Description:

This session highlights the collaborative partnership between NSSEO and Community Consolidated School District 15 to implement Comprehensive Literacy for All across classrooms serving students with complex needs. NSSEO consultants and a representative from the District 15 AT team will outline how coaching, professional learning, and belief in student potential have helped educators embrace emergent literacy practices. Presenters will share concrete examples, teacher and student successes, and strategies used to support students who take the DLM assessment. Participants will leave with planning tools, suggestions for coaching models, and accessible instructional strategies to support students with the most complex needs. Whether you’re just starting with emergent literacy or supporting a district-wide initiative, this session offers insight, inspiration, and actionable steps to make literacy for all a reality in your district, school, or classroom.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify three coaching or professional learning strategies used to support implementation of Comprehensive Literacy for All in self-contained classrooms.

• Match at least two emergent literacy practices (e.g., shared reading, predictable chart writing) to the needs of students with complex learning profiles.

• Describe at least two changes in teacher practice or student outcomes that resulted from consistent implementation of Comprehensive Literacy for All.

Disclosures:

Tara Hanson works as an educational consultant and part-time as a District Coach for Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. Tara does contract work for Building Wings but is not being compensated in any way for this presentation.
Brooke Marshall is an Assistive Technology Facilitator for Community Consolidated School District 15. Brooke is not being compensated in any way for this presentation.
Kristie Wurglitz works full time as a District Coach for Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. Kristie is not being compensated in any way for this presentation.