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Secondary ELA Book Study for 26-27 School Year - registration open!

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Secondary ELA Book Study for 26-27 School Year - registration open!

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Subscribe to ELA team email updates!

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The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5–12

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The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5–12

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Infographic created by L. Spenceley, 2026. Email lauren.spenceley@azed.gov for permission to use.

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Literary Analyses in Secondary – Standards, Skills, and Routines

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Literary Analyses in Secondary – Standards, Skills, and Routines

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Secondary Matters - Secondary ELA Updates Newsletter

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Secondary Matters - Secondary ELA Updates Newsletter

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Check out the latest edition of my new Secondary specific newsletter! Make sure you are signed up for the Secondary ELA Updates listserv. You can also check out the previous Winter edition!

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Adolescent literacy, adolescent literacy research, reading and writing strategies, MG and YA text, adolescent literacy videos

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Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4–9 (REL SW-PRISMS)

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These videos are part of modules within the REL Southwest Toolkit entitled Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS). Each video…

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The steering committee for the Arizona Adolescent Literacy Network (AzALN) is working hard to create our mission/vision and goals, and we will share out soon and invite members to help with the work by this summer!

Stay in the know!

💻 AzALN Padlet

🌐 LinkedIn

📧 Join the waiting list to be contacted once we officially launch!

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Secondary ELA Professional Learning Webinar Series SY2025-2026

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Secondary ELA Professional Learning Webinar Series SY2025-2026

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Learning begins at birth and continues throughout every stage of life. The Academic Standards team oversees the standards for learning for children and students in Arizona from birth to high school graduation. The Academic Standards team leads standards work across the state by writing, revising, and implementing the standards with different stakeholders. This team provides professional learning opportunities, resources, guidance, and technical assistance to build educator and caregiver capacity in best practices across the birth through twelfth-grade continuum. The Academic Standards team leads state-level work related to early childhood, literacy, computer science, educational technology, English Language Arts, history and social sciences, math, science, and world and native languages. Academic Standards Annual Report FY23
Teachers Institute and Leading Change 2024 Conference

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Academic Standards Banner.png Learning begins at birth and continues throughout every stage of life. The Academic Standards team oversees the standards for learning for children and students in Arizona from birth to high school graduation. The Academic Standards team leads standards work across the state by writing, revising, and implementing the standards with different stakeholders.

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Visit the English Language Arts Webpage to access:

the 6-12 Standards

Vertical Articulation document

Glossary of terms

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Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary - what it is and how to make it happen!

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Disciplinary Literacy in Secondary - what it is and how to make it happen!

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Portal for Arizona Academic Standards
PAASport

Educators now have a PAASport to an interactive way of exploring academic standards using the Portal for Arizona Academic Standards.

PAASport is a state-of-the-art web application that allows educators to browse, search, and more effectively understand and use Board approved learning standards.

In addition to being an interactive solution, PAASport can inter-operate with other learning tools such as learning management systems, student information systems, and learning online curricula. This is possible through the use of a CASE framework. The Competencies and Academic Standards Exchange ( CASE) by 1EdTech is a framework that allows for a consistent exchange of learning data through a machine-readable format.

What can I do with PAASport?

Using PAASport educators can browse, search, and more effectively use and understand standards. You can copy the text of a standard into your lesson plan, print standards, or even export them ( learn more here).

How do I access PAASport?

PAASport is open and available to all Arizona educators. No account needed! Go to standards.azed.go v to start exploring.

How can I get started with PAASport?

Getting started with PAASport is easy! Simply visit standards.azed.gov and start exploring, and applying, the standards! Check out this helpful one-page "How to" for PAASport as you get started ( learn more here).

Is there a support team available to assist with any questions or issues?

Absolutely! Our dedicated support team is available to provide assistance and address any inquiries or technical issues you may encounter while using the standards portal. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

How can I use PAASport with Google Classroom?

You can easily copy the text of a standard into one of your assignments if you'd like to revise them to create student learning objectives in Google Classroom.

Your district can download standards from PAASport to be used within your Student Information System, Report Card (if applicable), or Gradebook (if applicable). A System Administrator for your SIS can reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more.

Is it possible to connect to my LMS?

You can easily copy the text of a standard into one of your assignments if you'd like to revise them to create student learning objectives.

Your district can download standards from PAASport to be used within your Student Information System, Report Card (if applicable), or Gradebook (if applicable). A System Administrator for your SIS can reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more.

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Portal for Arizona Academic StandardsPAASport Educators now have a PAASport to an interactive way of exploring academic standards using the Portal for Arizona Academic Standards. PAASport is a state-of-the-art web application that allows educators to browse, search, and more effectively understand and use Board approved learning standards.

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Lauren Spenceley, M.Ed.

Secondary ELA Specialist

Arizona Department of Education

📧 lauren.spenceley@azed.gov

☎ 602-364-2267

💻 ADE Secondary ELA Webpage

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The Arizona Department of Education is focused on the importance of teaching children to read. It is important to continue this focus into the secondary classroom, including middle school and high school. In short, literacy instruction remains every bit as important in the older grades, as it is in grades K-3. The resources provided here are meant to assist secondary (6th-12th) ELA educators and parents in providing the best instruction for all Arizona students.

ELA Standards Grades 6-12

The Arizona English Language Arts Standards define the knowledge, understanding, and skills that need to be effectively taught and learned for all students to be ready to succeed in credit-bearing, college-entry courses, in the workplace, and/or in military service. The standards present a vision of what it means to be a literate person in the twenty-first century.

Grade-specific K-12 standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language translate the broad aims of The Arizona English Language Arts Anchor Standards into age- and attainment-appropriate terms. These standards allow for an integrated approach to literacy to help guide instruction.
You can access the Grade 6-12 ELA Standards, as well as the Vertical Articulation of Standards, Glossary, and other guidance materials on the Standards: English Language Arts webpage.
Interventions for Secondary/Adolescent Readers

This resource section is under construction, but a great place to start is:

IES Practice Guides - Institute of Education Sciences has provided a set of recommendations for evidence-based best practices to address challenges in classrooms and schools that serve the secondary grades.

Reading | Literature Resources

Achieve the Core - Text Complexity Toolkit

All About Adolescent Literacy - AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers.

AdLit Classroom Strategies - Before, During, and After Reading

CEEDAR - Disciplinary Literacy Course Enhancement Module

EdWeek - Spotlight on Adolescent Reading

GELN - Essential Instructional Practices for Disciplinary Literacy in the Secondary Classroom

IES Practice Guides - Institute of Education Sciences has provided a set of recommendations for evidence-based best practices to address challenges in classrooms and schools that serve the secondary grades.

Keys to Literacy Adolescent Literacy Resources - Joan Sedita of Keys to Literacy provides resources focused on adolescent literacy. Adolescent literacy encompasses the skills that must be taught to all students so they can meet increasingly challenging reading and writing demands as they move through the upper grades, as well as what needs to be done for those students who fall behind who may need intervention instruction in foundational literacy skills.

Meadows Center, Partner Reading Teachers' Guide - The purpose of this guide is to provide teachers a feasible partner reading procedure that can be used in middle school classrooms.

NCTE Bookstore, Adventurous Thinking: Fostering Students' Rights to Read and Write in Secondary ELA

NCTE Students' Right to Read - Plethora of resources for engaging students in literature.

ReadWriteThink - Powered by NCTE. ReadWriteThink is a teaching and learning community for English Language Arts teachers from K-12th grade with resources providing free access to the highest quality standards-based practices, lesson plans, videos, activities, and apps.

WestEd Publications, Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms

WestEd Reading Apprenticeship - What if instead of teaching around the text, lecturing, or summarizing for students, teachers engaged students in actually grappling with text - reading and talking about what it means and how they figured it out? WestEd has provided resources and materials to teach reading in a metacognitive way.

Writing | Grammar Resources
Writing Contests
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest - The Profile in Courage Essay Contest opens for submissions in the Fall of each year.

National Novel Writing Month Young Writers' Program - National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) takes place in November. The Young Writers' Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators as they participate in the November event, and take part in smaller writing challenges year-round.

Pulitzer Center - Local Letters for Global Change: A Pulitzer Center Writing Contest, deadline is November 13, 2021
Grammar Resources
Heinemann Publishing, The Grammar Planbook

NCTE Bookstore, Grammar to Get Things Done: A Practical Guide for Teachers Anchored in Real-World Usage

Stenhouse Publishers, Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond

Stenhouse Publishers, Everyday Editing: Inviting Students to Develop Skill and Craft in Writer's Workshop
Writing
Keys to Literacy, Keys to Content Writing Resources

IES Guide, Teaching Secondary Students to Write Effectively

Parent Resources

AdLit.org, "Organizations that Promote Adolescent Literacy" - From lesson plans and classroom tools to free books and opportunities to publish students' work, nonprofit organizations have a lot to offer parents, teachers, and struggling readers themselves. Learn about some nonprofits with a commitment to helping young people become better readers and writers.

AdLit.org, "Parent Engagement in Transitions to Middle and High School" - Using the 3A framework (Attendance, Achievement, and Attainment) for dropout prevention developed by the America's Promise Alliance and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this article highlights specific knowledge that parents need to support students' success, as well as ways that schools can engage parents as partners.

AdLit.org, "Engaging Parents to Support Academic Achievement" - Academic achievement is a strong predictor of high school graduation and is critical to long-term success in college, work, and life. A sixth grader who fails math or English, has unsatisfactory behavior, or poor attendance has a 75% likelihood of dropping out. Freshmen in Chicago public schools who earn a B average or better have an 80% chance of finishing high school with at least a 3.0 GPA.

IES, "Literacy Tips for Parents of Adolescents" - Based on common instructional elements , these are activities that parents can initiate at home to help ensure successful literacy outcomes for their adolescent students.

Meadows Center, "How Can I Help My Middle Schooler Read Multisyllabic Words? Five Helpful Steps" - This resource describes a simple strategy you and your child can use to help decode long words.

Scholastic, "17 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Turning Pages" - As your kids get older, they may put reading on the back burner. Learn the best ways to keep them turning the pages with these helpful tips.

Assessment

ADE Assessment - Educator resources for the new Arizona state assessments. [ AASA (3rd-8th), ACT Aspire (9th), ACT (11th)]

Including:

Performance Level Descriptors and Item Specifications (AASA)

Arizona State Standards Alignment Guide (ACT and ACT Aspire)

Graduation Supports

High School Graduation - Information and Requirements

PostSecondary Resources - Resources and Events

OELAS Guidance - High School Credit for Integrated and Targeted ELD (August 2022) | Townhall Presentation 8.17.22 | OELAS Homepage

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Current Opportunities
Secondary ELA Quarterly Office Hours
Secondary ELA Quarterly Office Hours is a virtual opportunity to collaborate, share, and learn about secondary reading and literacy information from the AZ Department of Education with secondary ELA literacy educators and leaders from around the state. Register for the July 13, 2023 meeting!

Past Meetings:

Earn PD credit and collaborate with other secondary ELA teachers! A variety of topics including: reading comprehension, writing, secondary MTSS, collaboration with Social Studies, and more! - use search term "secondary ELA"

Register - use search term "secondary ela" to narrow down your search
ALL ELA Professional Learning Opportunities
Current PD from the whole ELA Team:

K-12 Literacy Office Hours once a month - come join us to hear the latest ELA news!

Arizona Reading Fundamentals OnDemand Academy - This academy offers schools a variety of free knowledge blocks on demand. Each knowledge block includes several different sessions. Each session includes three recorded presentations and pre- and post- activities. Districts and schools are encouraged to utilize these resources as a part of a comprehensive professional learning plan that is data-driven, sustained, intensive, collaborative, job-embedded and instructionally focused.

Register - use search term "k12-AS-ELA" to narrow down your search

APLD Support:
For questions regarding registration, certificates, accessing courses, etc. please refer to our: APLD FAQs
Sign up for ELA Listserv:
To stay on top of the latest Arizona ELA news, join our listserv!

Secondary ELA Book Study

Fall 2023

Join the ADE English Language Arts Team for a FREE Secondary ELA Focused 8-week book study. Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 MST (9/7 through 10/26). Everyone is welcome!
Text: Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms, 3rd Edition by Cynthia Greenleaf, Ruth Schoenbach, Linda Friedrich, Lynn Murphy, and Nika Hogan
To order: Wiley Publishers

Improve student outcomes in reading and literacy with the latest edition of this bestselling text! The newly revised Third Edition of Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms is the latest iteration of the best-selling, landmark book in the field of adolescent literacy. The book contains strategies for boosting the reading independence of middle, secondary, and college students. Research conducted by NSF, IES, and OII has validated the model taught in Reading for Understanding, demonstrating its effectiveness in raising students' reading achievement levels. The authors teach a clear and concise instructional framework for students at all learning levels, from those with special learning needs to those taking honors and Advanced Placement courses. The book also includes:

A direct correlation to disciplinary literacy, making the book an even more valuable resource in a wide range of classrooms

Explanation of the social and personal dimensions for building a foundation for engaged learning

Discussions of the value of setting aside dedicated class time for independent, silent reading

With collaboration tips that go beyond the classroom and advice on building a cognitive "reading toolbox," Reading for Understanding is an indispensable resource for teachers at the Grade 6 and up, literacy coaches, reading teachers, community college instructors, and other school leaders.
Dates/Chapters:

9/7 Chapter 1 "Engaged Academic Literacy for All"

9/14 Chapter 2 "The Reading Apprenticeship Framework"

9/21 Chapter 3 "The Social and Personal Dimensions"

9/28 Chapter 4 "Metacognitive Conversation"

10/5 Chapter 5 "Extensive Academic Reading"

10/12 Chapter 6 "The Cognitive Dimension"

10/19 Chapter 7 "The Knowledge-Building Dimension"

10/26 Chapter 8 "Disciplinary Inquiry" and Epilogue

General Info for our book studies:

Virtual book chats take place via Zoom.

All participants must register in the APLD system to receive credit - each session is offered individually.

All participants who register in APLD, read their chapter(s), and attend the book study will be given 2-hours PD credit.

Please share with your colleagues!

Register - use search term "secondary ela book study" to narrow down your search

Archived Book Studies:

March-May 2023 Thinking Reading: What Every Secondary Teacher Needs to Know About Reading - Visit the Padlet!

January - March 2023 Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties - Visit the Padlet!

Fall 2022 Disciplinary Literacy Inquiry & Instruction - Visit the Padlet!

Summer 2022 The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades - Visit the Padlet!

April-May 2022 Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms, 2nd Edition - Visit the Padlet!

Early Spring 2022 Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction and Assessment, Grades 6-12 - Visit the Padlet!

Fall 2021 Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties

Spring 2021 Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms, 2nd Edition

Writing Professional Learning

FALL 2023

Arizona's 6-12th Grade Writing Standards: Model, Practice, Reflect, Assess - register for upcoming offerings on:

Previous Presentations - all materials archived here

11/9/22 Special Presentation - Arizona's 6-12th Grade Writing Standards: Model, Practice, Reflect, Assess - all materials archived here
Types of Writing Standards - Grades 6-12 Professional Learning Webinars
All materials from the webinars have been archived here:

Types of Writing Standards Grades 6-12: Argument Writing | Padlet

Types of Writing Standards Grades 6-12: Informative/Explanatory Writing | Padlet

Types of Writing Standards Grades 6-12: Narrative Writing | Padlet

Summer 2022
Thank you to all who joined in the Secondary ELA Summer of Writing Professional Learning Series!
All materials from the Summer Series have been archived here:

The Writing Revolution Book Study | Padlet

Types of Writing Grades 6-12: Argument Writing | Padlet

Types of Writing Grades 6-12: Informative/Explanatory Writing | Padlet

Types of Writing Grades 6-12: Narrative Writing | Padlet

Empowering Students through Grammar Instruction | Recording | Slide Deck

Writing for College, Career, and Beyond | Recording | Slide Deck

Reading Apprenticeship
Reading Apprenticeship from WestEd - ADE Cohort - SY23-24
Reading Apprenticeship is an evidence-based professional learning experience focused on disciplinary literacy in grades 6-12. Educators are engaged in a process to discover the tools and perspective to "apprentice" their students in any subject area. This assets-based approach helps teachers develop students' comprehension skills while also building subject-area knowledge, reader-identity, collaboration, and persistence. As part of a State Tutoring grant opportunity, ADE will be offering the opportunity for Arizona teachers to participate in an ADE cohort of the Reading Apprenticeship essentials course with little to no cost. Share this flyer with colleagues!

Informational Webinars: Register for an informational session to learn more about this ADE cohort opportunity!

Book Study: Access the materials from the Spring 2022 Professional Learning Book Study on the Reading Apprenticeship core text.

Updated Core Text: Third Edition - I will be offering a Professional Learning Book Study on this updated edition in Fall 2023! See book study blue bar above.

Recordings/Archived

Webinars

Special Presentation - "A Face Like Mine: Connecting Classic Literature to Modern YA Books" - On 2/11/21, a panel of high school librarians discussed ways to incorporate modern YA books in with teaching classic literature in the classroom. Click here to view the presentation

Building Background in the Virtual Secondary ELA Classroom - Building schema and background knowledge is one of the best ways to raise reading comprehension for our students. In this webinar, we explored some easy and fun ways to do this in the virtual/distance learning secondary ELA classroom. A better understanding of how building background and surfacing schema will help your students become better readers. Visit the Padlet with resources and slide deck.

Summer Series - Spotlight on Media Literacy and Sourcing - In collaboration with our ADE Social Studies team - Join trainers from ADE, and master teachers from around the state to a webinar to teach and engage with media literacy at all grade levels. Recorded presentation

"What is Media Literacy and How Do I Teach It?" - This webinar will examine what media literacy means, how do we teach students to be responsible consumers and producers of media and examine some methods and lessons you can use in your classroom. Recorded presentation

Integrating Secondary Social Studies and ELA - In collaboration with our ADE Social Studies team - How do you integrate Social Studies and English Language Arts in a secondary setting? What are the benefits of collaboration between English and Social Studies educators? This webinar demonstrated best practices to integrate Social Studies and ELA efficiently and easily. This webinar also used texts with multiple perspectives to address new ways to create cross-curricular projects and lessons. Slide Deck

Professional Organizations

Contact Information: Lauren Spenceley, Secondary ELA Specialist, 602-364-2267
Visit the English Language Arts YouTube playlist!
**The views and opinions expressed in any third-party resource do not necessarily reflect those of the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and do not imply an endorsement by ADE.

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Secondary Literacy (Middle and High School) Secondary Logo 2023.png The Arizona Department of Education is focused on the importance of teaching children to read. It is important to continue this focus into the secondary classroom, including middle school and high school.

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This might be the best compliment I’ve ever received! It just makes me so happy to provide resources and learning in an organized, accessible way for secondary educators.

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.” – Margaret Fuller

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Sign up to receive updates specific to Secondary ELA from your ADE Secondary ELA Specialist.

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Subscribe to ELA team email updates!

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**The views and opinions expressed in any third-party resource do not necessarily reflect those of the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and do not imply an endorsement by ADE.

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Reading for Understanding, Third Edition

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Reading for Understanding, Third Edition

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Literacy Intervention in the Middle Grades: Word Learning, Comprehension, and Strategy Instruction, Grades 4-8

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Literacy Intervention in the Middle Grades: Word Learning, Comprehension, and Strategy Instruction, Grades 4-8

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IES Guide: Interventions Grades 4-9 and Beyond

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IES Guide: Interventions Grades 4-9 and Beyond

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Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties

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Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties

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Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction & Assessment, Grades 6-12

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Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction & Assessment, Grades 6-12

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Disciplinary Literacy Inquiry and Instruction

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Disciplinary Literacy Inquiry and Instruction

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Arizona's 6-12th Grade Writing Standards: Model, Practice, Reflect, Assess

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Arizona's 6-12th Grade Writing Standards: Model, Practice, Reflect, Assess

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Building from Opinion Writing (K-5) to Argument Writing (6-12)

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Building from Opinion Writing (K-5) to Argument Writing (6-12)

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Restoring Humanity to Striving Adolescent Readers

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Restoring Humanity to Striving Adolescent Readers

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Co-presented with Jason Stephenson (OK), Dr. Naomi Watkins (UT), and Kristen Tinch (KY).

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Secondary Striving Readers: Diagnose and Intervene

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Secondary Striving Readers: Diagnose and Intervene

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WestEd Reading Apprenticeship in Arizona

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WestEd Reading Apprenticeship in Arizona

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Supporting Middle Grade Striving Readers

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Supporting Middle Grade Striving Readers

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Reading Apprenticeship Strategy of the Month

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Reading Apprenticeship Strategy of the Month

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MTSS in Secondary ELA – It is possible! 

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MTSS in Secondary ELA – It is possible! 

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Arizona Professional Learning and Development

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High Quality Secondary ELA Professional Learning:

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High Quality Secondary ELA Professional Learning:

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AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary - https://institute.aimpa.org/aim-pathways/aim-pathways-individual-cohort/secondary (6-12)

Keys to Literacy Middle and High School Professional Development - https://keystoliteracy.com/middle-high-school-grades-professional-development/

Lexia Aspire - https://www.lexialearning.com/aspire (4-8)

Literacy Architects Courses for Secondary Teachers - https://courses.theliteracyarchitects.com/collections/secondary-teachers

Student Achievement Partners - Improving Reading for Older Students - https://learnwithsap.org/professional-learning/improving-reading-for-older-students/

WestEd Reading Apprenticeship - https://readingapprenticeship.org/

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Performance Level Descriptors - ACT/ACT Aspire (Grades 9-12)

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Performance Level Descriptors - ACT/ACT Aspire (Grades 9-12)

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English - https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2023/01/AZ%20ACT%20-%20English%20PLDs.pdf

Reading - https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2023/01/AZ%20ACT%20-%20Reading%20PLDs.pdf

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Performance Level Descriptors - AASA (grades 3-8)

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Performance Level Descriptors - AASA (grades 3-8)

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The ELA Glossary that accompanies the Arizona ELA standards further defines text complexity, starting on page 7.

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The Gist is This: Building Students’ Comprehension through Questioning and Gist Statements 

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The Gist is This: Building Students’ Comprehension through Questioning and Gist Statements 

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Storytelling as Instruction: Using Read-Alouds and Discussion Structures to Build Comprehension

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Storytelling as Instruction: Using Read-Alouds and Discussion Structures to Build Comprehension

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Building Background in the Virtual Secondary ELA Classroom

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Building Background in the Virtual Secondary ELA Classroom

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Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Development: Grades 4–8

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Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Development: Grades 4–8

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The Literacy and Family Engagement Teams at WestEd

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Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Development: Grades 4–8

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Support your child’s literacy in Grades 4–8 with clear milestones and strategies to foster effective collaboration between families and teachers.

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Literacy Resources for Parents of Adolescent Readers

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Literacy Resources for Parents of Adolescent Readers

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AdLit.org, "Organizations that Promote Adolescent Literacy" - From lesson plans and classroom tools to free books and opportunities to publish students’ work, nonprofit organizations have a lot to offer parents, teachers, and struggling readers themselves. Learn about some nonprofits with a commitment to helping young people become better readers and writers.

AdLit.org, "Parent Engagement in Transitions to Middle and High School" - Using the 3A framework (Attendance, Achievement, and Attainment) for dropout prevention developed by the America’s Promise Alliance and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this article highlights specific knowledge that parents need to support students’ success, as well as ways that schools can engage parents as partners.

AdLit.org, "Engaging Parents to Support Academic Achievement" - Academic achievement is a strong predictor of high school graduation and is critical to long-term success in college, work, and life. A sixth grader who fails Math or English has unsatisfactory behavior, or poor attendance, has a 75% likelihood of dropping out. Freshmen in Chicago public schools who earn a B average or better have an 80% chance of finishing high school with at least a 3.0 GPA.

IES, "Literacy Tips for Parents of Adolescents" - Based on common instructional elements, these are activities that parents can initiate at home to help ensure successful literacy outcomes for their adolescent students.

Meadows Center, "How Can I Help My Middle Schooler Read Multisyllabic Words? Five Helpful Steps" - This resource describes a simple strategy you and your child can use to help decode long words.

Scholastic, “17 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Turning Pages” - As your kids get older, they may put reading on the back burner. Learn the best ways to keep them turning the pages with these helpful tips.

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From Data to Decisions: Diagnosing Adolescent Reading Needs

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From Data to Decisions: Diagnosing Adolescent Reading Needs

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MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS - High-quality support and resources for the middle grades

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High-quality support and resources for the middle grades

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Reading League Adolescent Literacy Compass

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Reading League Adolescent Literacy Compass

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Discover resources and information for a schoolwide approach to instruction and intervention for older readers.

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This Spotlight will empower you with strategies for supporting students with better reading habits, high-impact tutoring research, and more.

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Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS) Toolkit

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Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS) Toolkit

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REL Resource | Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS) Toolkit

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Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS) Toolkit

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Evidence-Based Reading Instructions for Adolescents Grades 6-12

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Evidence-Based Reading Instructions for Adolescents Grades 6-12

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Innovation Configuration

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Guide for Effective Writing Instruction in Upper Grades

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Guide for Effective Writing Instruction in Upper Grades

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Regional Educational Lab (REL) West partners with key stakeholders in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah to develop evidence that can inform consequential decisions about policy, programs, and practice. Key stakeholders include organizations with decision-making authority and the ability to influence education policy and practice, such as state and local education agencies, school boards, institutes of higher education, and student, family, and community organizations.

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MA Adolescent Literacy Intervention Selection Tool

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MA Adolescent Literacy Intervention Selection Tool

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Welcome to the Adolescent Literacy Intervention Selection Tool (A-LIST)!

The A-LIST provides information about literacy intervention programs for grades 4-12 to help educators make informed intervention program choices.

The A-LIST presents the results of expert educator panels' review of the extent to which each intervention program:

Disclaimer: The A-LIST only reports alignment to the practices identified. The A-LIST is not a list of recommended programs, does not evaluate the efficacy or evidence supporting program effectiveness, and should not be the sole means used to select programs.

To Learn More:
Read about the process used to develop this tool in the A-LIST Process Guide.
Access the rubrics used by panels:

Send any questions or inquiries online to: https://region1cc.org/contact .
To Participate:

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ADOLESCENT LITERACY INTERVENTION SELECTION TOOL

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Welcome to the Adolescent Literacy Intervention Selection Tool (A-LIST)! The A-LIST provides information about literacy intervention programs for grades 4-12 to help educators make informed intervention program choices. The A-LIST presents the results of expert educator panels' review of the extent to which each intervention program: Disclaimer: The A-LIST only reports alignment to the practices identified.

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National Center on Intensive Intervention

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National Center on Intensive Intervention

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Explore all

Educators

Find tools and resources to support general and special education teachers, interventionists, school psychologists, school counselors, and other school-based personnel working with students with intensive academic and behavioral needs.

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Explore all Find tools and resources to support general and special education teachers, interventionists, school psychologists, school counselors, and other school-based personnel working with students with intensive academic and behavioral needs.

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This assessment has been specially developed as a screener to assess literacy skills of students from the 3rd to the 12th grade in the fall.

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Welcome to the Adolescent Assessment of Literacy or AAL! This assessment has been specially developed as a screener to assess literacy skills of students from the 3rd to the 12th grade in the fall. When you are ready, watch the video below then press "Get Started" to begin the assessment. Please ensure a stable wifi connection for the duration of the assessment. Thank you!

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Welcome to the Adolescent Assessment of Literacy or AAL! This assessment has been specially developed as a screener to assess literacy skills of students from the 3rd to the 12th grade in the fall. When you are ready, watch the video below then press “Get Started” to begin the assessment. Please ensure a stable wifi connection for the duration of the assessment. Thank you!

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Morphology and Semantics: Unlocking Vocabulary for Students in Grades 6-12

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Morphology and Semantics: Unlocking Vocabulary for Students in Grades 6-12

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Reading Big Words: What It Looks Like in the Classroom, the School, and the State

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Reading Big Words: What It Looks Like in the Classroom, the School, and the State

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Reading Big Words: What It Looks Like in the Classroom, the School, and the State

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A recap of our latest Secondary Literacy Commons conversation

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Supporting Secondary Students with Complex Texts

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Supporting Secondary Students with Complex Texts

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Implementing Literacy Interventions in Grades 3–8

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Implementing Literacy Interventions in Grades 3–8

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Implementing Literacy Interventions in Grades 3–8 | IES

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This infographic provides an overview of key components to consider when implementing literacy interventions in grades 3-8, including identifying students, using reliable assessments and evidence-based practices, allocating time, supporting interventionists, and establishing systems for professional learning, communication, and a safe learning environment.

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Improving Adolescent Literacy - Social Studies

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Improving Adolescent Literacy - Social Studies

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Arizona Road Show 2026: Tier 1 Instruction and Assesment in Secondary

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Arizona Road Show 2026: Tier 1 Instruction and Assesment in Secondary

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Much of our knowledge of the components of MTSS and their successful implementation is based on experiences in elementary schools. However, given the structural and organizational differences between elementary schools and secondary schools, this evidence has its limitations when implementing MTSS at higher grade levels. The essential components of MTSS may be the same, regardless of grade level or context, but how they are translated into effective practice and integrated into a middle or high school's processes may differ from elementary school models.

Implementing an early warning system to identify students who may be at risk for poor educational outcomes and providing targeted supports is one way that secondary schools may consider implementing MTSS. AIR's Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) is an evidence-based process for identifying and monitoring students who are likely to miss key education milestones and provide supports to help get them back on track (Faria et al., 2017). It is important to emphasize that students are not identified based on their demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, status as an English learner) or other unchangeable factors (e.g., students with disability, socioeconomic status, member of a single-parent household). Rather, students are identified for demonstrating one or more mutable early warning indicators (e.g., attendance rate, inappropriate behaviors, or poor course performance).

EWIMS is a systematic approach used by dedicated teams of school staff to identify students displaying symptoms of at risk of not graduating on time, assign students to interventions, and monitor their progress. Schools use data every day-the challenge is to turn the data into meaningful actions and positive student outcomes. By following the 7 steps of the EWIMS process, educators can turn their data into action. The EWIMS process helps educators in early identification of students who are not on track for on-time high school graduation, postsecondary readiness, or other milestones, and then guides educators through evidence-based steps to get those students back on track. By acting early, and then continuously gauging and fine-tuning support, educators following the EWIMS process can efficiently help more students succeed.

Step 1-Establish roles and responsibilities. Schools establish a team to lead and carry out the EWIMS process, determine the frequency and duration of meetings, and develop a shared vision for the team's work.

Step 2-Use the tool. The EWIMS team uses the tool to update lists of available interventions and strategies to support students and run automated or customized reports.

Step 3-Review the early warning data. The EWIMS team focuses their attention on student- and school-level data, using a combination of research-based and locally validated indicators available in the tool. This data review process is intended to identify areas of focus and further investigation and this step is revisited any time new data become available.

Step 4-Interpret the early warning data. The EWIMS team seeks out additional data (besides the indicators) to better understand the needs of individual students or groups of students. This step focuses on the underlying causes that might lead students to be identified as at risk on one or more indicators, using additional formal data (administrative records) and informal input (from teachers, family, and students).

Step 5-Assign and provide interventions. The EWIMS team members make decisions about assigning individual students to specific interventions in the school, district, and community. The EWIMS model does not prescribe specific interventions for schools to implement. Rather, the model provides schools flexibility to decide which interventions are best suited to their students' needs.

Step 6-Monitor student progress. The EWIMS team examines the student risk indicators on an ongoing basis to monitor the progress of students who have already been assigned to interventions. If students continue to be identified as off track, the team may consider assigning them to different interventions; if some students are no longer at risk, the team may consider ramping down services. Over time, schools may refine their catalog of interventions based on their effectiveness, adding new interventions and dropping those that do not help students get back on track.

Step 7-Evaluate and refine the EWIMS process. Through active and structured reflection, EWIMS team members revise specific strategies or their general approach as needed and determine how best to allocate resources to support at-risk students. This step encourages EWIMS teams to make course corrections to any aspect of implementation.

To learn more about our early warning intervention and monitoring system (EWIMS) process and MTSS, please visit: https://www.air.org/resource/early-warning-systems-education.

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Much of our knowledge of the components of MTSS and their successful implementation is based on experiences in elementary schools. However, given the structural and organizational differences between elementary schools and secondary schools, this evidence has its limitations when implementing MTSS at higher grade levels.