Literacy services provide professional learning and coaching of instructional approaches in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for K-12 students. These efforts are designed to build a school learning community engaged in studying and promoting growth and student achievement in literacy.  The goal of the NWAEA Literacy Consultants is to assist school district educators and AEA staff in the effective implementation of literacy best practices.

Northwest AEA offers a variety of services in the area of literacy aligned with Iowa’s AEA System Portfolio of Supports & Services 2024-25 (page 6).

 

Standards Work

  • Formative Assessment Process 
  • Learning Progressions 
  • Standards-Based Grading and Reporting

 

Science of Reading

  • Structured Literacy
Intervention System

  • Panorama Student Success 
  • Healthy Indicators 
  • Supplemental & Intensive Tiers Guide
  • Intervention Resources 
  • FastBridge Support/Learning 
  • Assessment & Data-Based Decision Making 
    • Universal Screener(s), Diagnostic Assessments, Progress Monitoring
Instructional Practices

  • Phonemic Awareness 
  • Phonics 
  • Fluency 
  • Vocabulary 
  • Comprehension
  • Writing 
  • Disciplinary Literacy 
  • Universal Tier Guide 
  • Assessment & Data-Based Decision Making
Modes of Support

  • Ongoing professional learning 
  • Consultation and coaching 
  • Classroom modeling & debrief 
  • Resource integration 
  • Coaching for implementation (system or practice) 
  • Classroom observation/walkthroughs & debrief 
  • Structured time to support planning, reflection, and collaboration 
  • Teacher teams (PLCs, CLCs, etc.) 
  • Leadership teams (district and/or building)
High Quality Instructional Materials

  • Review/Adoption of new curricula 
    • Core/Universal, Tier 2, Tier 3 
  • Support for Implementation 
    • Core/Universal, Tier 2, Tier 3

Northwest AEA literacy consultants have collaboratively developed a powerful literacy vision grounded in scientific research and evidence-based language and literacy practices. The best opportunity for better reading outcomes involves teachers and school leaders who know how students learn to read, know what component skills are essential, and know how to match student needs to instruction on those skills.