Structured Literacy for Adolescent Learners
Year-Long Professional Learning Cohort
A collaborative, evidence-based professional learning experience designed for educators ready to transform outcomes for older struggling readers.
Why a Cohort Model?
The Empowering Every Reader Structured Literacy for Adolescent Learners Cohort Model is a professional learning framework designed for middle and high school educators. While we do provide district or individual level learning, those models might not be best for all learners. Rather than learning in isolation, cohort based learning provides a community of peers engaged in collaborative learning provided through an intentional approach. In addition to learning, a cohort provides structure, community, collaboration, perspective and networking. Through the cohort model, educators will learn alongside a community of professionals who are passionate about providing evidence-based instruction to their students.
About the Cohort
Who is the Cohort Model Designed For?
The Empowering Every Reader cohort model is designed for teachers, interventionists, reading specialists or special educators who would like to implement a structured literacy class for their adolescent learners by the start of the next school year. Educators should be involved with students in grades 5 to 12; this model is not designed for grades K-4. Educators should have an understanding of the science of reading and understanding or background in structured literacy instruction. While not required, we recommend that teachers have participated in one or more of the following:
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Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS)
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Wilson Language Training
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Orton Gillingham
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AIM’s Pathways to Structured Literacy
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IMSE
Who is the Cohort Model Not Designed For?
The cohort is for established literacy instructors ready and willing to implement or refine a class at their school site. This model is not appropriate for educators who are:
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Unfamiliar with, or not agreeable to, the Science of Reading
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Teaching students in K-4 or post-secondary levels
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Not available for all sessions
While the Cohort Model might not be right for you, please look at our other learning options or reach out so we can help find what could work for you.
What does the Cohort Model Entail?
While engaging in a year-long cohort, teachers will learn the instructional routines, have opportunities to refine their own practice, reflect on student data, and build a shared understanding of how structured literacy would work in their educational setting. Depending on participants, cohorts may be grouped holistically for 5th-12th grade educators, or narrowed down by grade level or educational population. Sessions are held outside of typical school day hours to allow for undivided learning time.
What are Expected Cohort Learner Outcomes?
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Align instruction using evidence-based resources and high-leverage routines that teachers already have within their setting
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Identify which students would benefit from a structured literacy approach
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Explore how data informed decision-making will guide instruction
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Learn the various structured literacy routines that can be implemented immediately within their setting
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Collaborate and engage with other professionals to explore adolescent-appropriate materials and structured literacy strategies for sustained practice and growth
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Earn professional development hours
Sequence of Cohort Sessions
Session One: 1 hour virtual onboarding session (April)
A one-hour onboarding session providing an introduction to the Empowering Every Reader Structured Literacy for Adolescent Learners' cohort experience.
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This session is designed to walk you through the purpose of the cohort, the structure and expectations for the year ahead.
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Meet your fellow cohort members and instructional facilitators.
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Receive access to shared materials, communication channels and scheduling details.
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After the onboarding session, you will be given a few tasks to complete to prepare for the first live virtual training in May (e.g., inventory of materials and data you currently use).
Session Two: 3-hour live virtual training (May)
Three hour collaborative learning session to set the base for your literacy program implementation.
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Review the tasks that were assigned in the onboarding session
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Discuss student data (anonymous), how to effectively manage student data, and determine additional data points you might need to effectively teach using a structured literacy practice
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Work through schedules for your individual settin
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Explore evidence-based materials
Session Three: Two-Day Summer Institute (August)
This session may be provided in person or virtual depending on participant locations. This immersive, hands-on experience for teachers is grounded in the science of reading and prepares you to implement your first year of structured literacy instruction.
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Learn the various routines of structured literacy and real-world application that is appropriate for adolescent learners.
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Opportunities for you to engage in:
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high-leverage routines
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analyze additional student data
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explore materials appropriate for adolescent learners
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collaborate with peers to build lesson templates, anchor charts and other instructional tools
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Access to an implementation toolkit and a clear plan for structured literacy instruction
Sessions Four - Nine: Five 2-hour virtual cohort meetings (September, November, January, March, May)
A continuous collaborative time for you to share success, trouble-shoot hurdles, and refine your understanding with the other cohort members
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Review current data and outcomes
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Planning and expanding for your learners
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Next steps
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Planning for year two of your structured literacy based classes
On-demand Support Sessions
Cohort facilitators can be available to meet individually between sessions, if needed.
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Site specific questions
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Expanding on previous session topics
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Technology support
Investment
Pricing is structured depending on number of participants from each site or district. The cohort has a base rate per participant but discounted rates apply for two or more participants from the same district. Pricing reflects scope, duration, and level of support as well as our preparation, facilitation, and resources. Travel beyond 100 miles of Concord, NH is billed separately. To discuss financial investment or to receive a proposal for you or your school district, please contact us directly via email.
Cohort Registration
Please complete the form to begin your registration in the 2026/2027 cohort. Payment request will be sent separately and will reserve your sport in the program.