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Fluency is connected to the other areas of literacy instruction. Phonological awareness is the process by which readers start understanding how sounds make up words and phonics is the understanding of how letters and sounds are connected. Early literacy skills like these lead directly into the process of decoding.

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from 95% Group

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See the SoR Taxonomy

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Reading Universe: All About Reading and Writing

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Explore ready-to-use teaching strategies, resources, and concrete answers to common questions about teaching reading and writing -- developed by experts.

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2026 Full info AZ Road Show Flyer with link

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ELA News- see PD info and links within the document

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ELA News- see PD info and links within the document

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Leading Toward Transformation: Building Systems That Last

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Sustainability is the foundation of transforming education systems – not an afterthought. But what does it take?

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Fostering Dialogue: Turning Conversations into Learning

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Fostering Dialogue: Turning Conversations into Learning

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Fostering Dialogue: Turning Conversations into Learning - Instructional Coaching Group

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When we talk about improving schools, we often focus on strategies, structures, and systems. But improvement ultimately depends on something far more fundamental: the quality of our conversations. In Better Conversations, Jim Knight describes dialogue as a learning conversation. Dialogue is different from debate, persuasion, or simple exchange of information. In dialogue, we are not … Continued

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Instructional coaching distributes finite resources to teachers based on level of need. Coaching implementation data is used to plan job-embedded group learning opportunities. Some teachers may receive more classroom visits and coaching than others. See a breakdown of the steps below with accompanying documents to help scaffold your work with instructional coaches.

Pre-conference

Pre-conference meeting between coach and teacher(s) to outline the purpose of the coach's classroom visit, such as observing pace of instruction, a specific decoding routine, or small group instruction.
Pre-conference Agenda
Demonstrations

Demonstrations in the classroom are usually the starting point of coaching, with the coach modeling or co-teaching prior to visiting the classroom.
Demonstration Lesson Focus Form
Feedback

Feedback is given as close to the observation as possible, with a formal debrief between coach and teacher, and may include goal-setting and scheduling further observations.
Instructional Coach Feedback Form
Classroom Visits

Classroom visits are used to collect data on teacher implementation to guide feedback. Visits are always non-evaluative.
Classroom Visit Checklist
Putting it All Together

To support implementation of this cycle in day-to-day practice, the Weekly Coaching Plan helps instructional coaches intentionally organize their time across schools, teachers, and stages of the improvement process. Used consistently, the plan supports equitable allocation of coaching resources, protects time for high-leverage practices, and helps coaches, leaders, and educators stay aligned around purposeful, sustained continuous improvement.
Weekly Coaching Plan

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Another Continuous Improvement Cycle in Education? We Promise This One is Helpful - National Center on Improving Literacy

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This article unpacks how instructional coaching works through a clear, cyclical process designed to support continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

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Research-based resources in both coaching and structured literacy/science of reading

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Instructional Coaching: Understanding the Role with Ready-to-Use Resources – National Center on Improving Literacy

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Learn about instructional coaching for improving literacy outcomes, and get the resources you need to hire and implement an instructional coach.

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My Classroom Instructional Profile - Word Doc

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My Classroom Instructional Profile - Word Doc

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Edited for Phoenix Elementary but can be changed to fit your district's needs/terms

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Engage students with the collaborative writing game that boosts creativity and critical thinking. We help middle school ELA teachers enhance literacy.

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A Syntax-focused Kindergarten lesson - YouTube

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From edWebinar 5 Writing Essentials of an Effective K–12 Program: The Science of Writing Part 1 - edWeb

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5 Writing Essentials of an Effective K-12 Program

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5 Writing Essentials of an Effective K-12 Program

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From edWebinar 5 Writing Essentials of an Effective K–12 Program: The Science of Writing Part 1 - edWeb

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K-3 Writing Standards- Vertical Articulation

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K-3 Writing Standards- Vertical Articulation

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Based on IES guide: Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices

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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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From AdLit

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A Picture of Adolescent Literacy Intervention: Becoming Better Readers, Writers, and Thinkers

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from Robyn Jackson

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Blog: 8 students, 6 reading levels. What now?

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Blog: 8 students, 6 reading levels. What now?

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Hi Michele, As we head into the holiday break, I've been thinking about how grateful I am for this community of educators who show up for one another, ask brave questions, and share what's really happening in their classrooms. Last month, during Reading Science Academy Office Hours , one first-grade teacher from a small school in Colorado shared a challenge that might sound familiar to you.

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Eric Stuebner's session on 9/18

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Eric Stuebner's session on 9/17/25

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See the website for professional learning opportunities, including Train-the-Trainer events.

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Article: Coaching Resistant Teachers (video embedded)

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Article: Coaching Resistant Teachers (video embedded)

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Video: Using flash cards to boost fluency

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Video: Using flash cards to boost fluency

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In the comments, it is noted that if a student is struggling with one of the words that was thought to be known, it is important to have the student spell aloud while reading and writing the word in order to map the word for fluent recall.

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The Flashcard Routine that Boosts Reading Fluency Fast

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Word doc for your customization.

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Confidentiality and Teacher Agency in Coaching

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Confidentiality and Teacher Agency in Coaching

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Coach & Principal Partnership Guidelines

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Coach & Principal Partnership Guidelines

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Coach & Principal Agreement Worksheet (editable)

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Coach & Principal Agreement Worksheet (editable)

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Please visit our SOR Webpage for a variety of information.

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What is the Science of Reading?

The Science of Reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world, and it is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages. (The Reading League)

The Science of Reading is built on two fundamental truths:

1. We were never born to read. Our brains are hardwired for speech, not print.

2. The alphabetic principle is the foundation of our alphabetic writing system. It is fundamentally different from pictograph and logograph systems.

What the Science of Reading is not:

an ideology or philosophy

a fad, trend, new idea, or pendulum swing

a political agenda

a one-size-fits-all approach

a program of instruction

a single, specific component of instruction, such as phonics

Click here for The Science of Reading: Defining Guide from The Reading League!
Download the Science of Reading infographic here.
Watch a 3-minute "elevator speech" about the Science of Reading, as explained by Dr. Stephanie Stollar.

Want to learn more?

Take one of our courses to learn more about the science of reading, especially the Evidence-Based Decision Making Course, which directly aligns and supports learning in the science of reading and the shifts to structured literacy.
Literacy Professional Learning
AZ State Literacy Instruction Plans

We are so happy you are here to learn more about the Science of Reading!
We would love to hear your feedback on this page so that we know what you need and how we can support you in your understanding of how the brain learns to read.

Please take a moment to complete a simple survey by clicking the Feedback button.

**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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What is the Science of Reading? AS_ELA_Science-of-Reading-Logo-2023.png_(20230421) The Science of Reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world, and it is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages.

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Article on shifting from balanced literacy to structured literacy

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Article on shifting from balanced literacy to structured literacy

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Truly Shifting to Science of Reading Sometimes Takes ‘Balanced Literacy Rehab’

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McQuillan: Even with new curricula and good intentions, old teaching habits die hard. How to break the cycle and improve literacy outcomes.

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Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 265 959 212 810 5

Passcode: KE7qr2hj

Padlet: https://padlet.com/mz_ess_az/2526k12literacy

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Literacy Coaches' Self-Reflection and Goal Setting Worksheet

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Literacy Coaches' Self-Reflection and Goal Setting Worksheet

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Michele Rutin

Literacy Coach Coordinator

Arizona Department of Education

602-364-2053 office

602-550-3024 cell phone

michele.rutin@azed.gov

Schedule with me

Deanna Jergenson

Regional Literacy Coach

Arizona Department of Education

602.364.0349 office

deanna.jergenson@azed.gov

Wendy Logue

Regional Literacy Coach

Arizona Department of Education

602.364.2051 office

wendy.logue@azed.gov

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Pati Montgomery (Author), Angela Hanlin (Author), Foreword by Jan Hasbrouck (Author) & 0 more

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It’s Possible!: A Leadership Plan for Implementing Quality Reading Instruction and Ensuring Literacy for All (Increase reading proficiency for all students.)

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Amazon.com: It’s Possible!: A Leadership Plan for Implementing Quality Reading Instruction and Ensuring Literacy for All (Increase reading proficiency for all students.): 9781958590935: Pati Montgomery, Angela Hanlin, Foreword by Jan Hasbrouck: Books

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Free book study link: MTSS for Reading Improvement: 2025 Summer Book Study

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Sarah Brown (Author), Stephanie Stollar (Author)

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MTSS for Reading Improvement: A Leader’s Tool Kit for Schoolwide Success (Reading science in action: an MTSS tool kit)

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MTSS for Reading Improvement: A Leader’s Tool Kit for Schoolwide Success (Reading science in action: an MTSS tool kit) [Sarah Brown, Stephanie Stollar] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. MTSS for Reading Improvement: A Leader’s Tool Kit for Schoolwide Success (Reading science in action: an MTSS tool kit)

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Ten practices you can implement tomorrow:

1. Get explicit. Model directly and clearly.

2. Increase engagement. Get students responding, writing, and participating.

3. Sequence skills. Teach in a logical order with prerequisites in mind.

4. Practice to automaticity. Don’t rush mastery; build fluency.

5. Think from speech to print. Build spelling and decoding from phonemes up.

6. Integrate the Big Five. Combine phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension intentionally.

7. Provide cumulative review. Revisit what’s been taught before adding new content.

8. Manage transitions. Maximize instructional time with consistent routines.

9. Provide immediate feedback. Catch errors before they stick.

10. Use data. Let assessment clarify what students need next.

from Stephanie Stollar, Reading Science Academy

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Please feel free to post here any forms or organizational tools and tips.

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How To Start A Coaching Conversation With A Hesitant Teacher | Learning Forward

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Thank you to the Alabama Department of Education

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The Alabama Reading Initiative presents PHONEMIC AWARENESS: Student-Centered Coaching

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Retrieval Strategies- help the learning stick

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Retrieval Strategies- help the learning stick

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Retrieval in Action: Creative Strategies from Real Teachers | Cult of Pedagogy

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These nine strategies make it quick, fun, and easy to build retrieval practice into any lesson.

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Instructional coaching distributes finite resources to teachers based on level of need. Coaching implementation data is used to plan job-embedded group learning opportunities. Some teachers may receive more classroom visits and coaching than others. See a breakdown of the steps below with accompanying documents to help scaffold your work with instructional coaches.

Pre-conference

Pre-conference meeting between coach and teacher(s) to outline the purpose of the coach's classroom visit, such as observing pace of instruction, a specific decoding routine, or small group instruction.
Pre-conference Agenda
Demonstrations

Demonstrations in the classroom are usually the starting point of coaching, with the coach modeling or co-teaching prior to visiting the classroom.
Demonstration Lesson Focus Form
Feedback

Feedback is given as close to the observation as possible, with a formal debrief between coach and teacher, and may include goal-setting and scheduling further observations.
Instructional Coach Feedback Form
Classroom Visits

Classroom visits are used to collect data on teacher implementation to guide feedback. Visits are always non-evaluative.
Classroom Visit Checklist
Putting it All Together

To support implementation of this cycle in day-to-day practice, the Weekly Coaching Plan helps instructional coaches intentionally organize their time across schools, teachers, and stages of the improvement process. Used consistently, the plan supports equitable allocation of coaching resources, protects time for high-leverage practices, and helps coaches, leaders, and educators stay aligned around purposeful, sustained continuous improvement.
Weekly Coaching Plan

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Another Continuous Improvement Cycle in Education? We Promise This One is Helpful - National Center on Improving Literacy

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This article unpacks how instructional coaching works through a clear, cyclical process designed to support continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

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Optional guidelines for Tiering Teachers

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Optional guidelines for Tiering Teachers

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From "How to Coach Teachers to Teach (Almost) Anything", Jill Jackson

jackson-consulting.com

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All of the sites below offer some free resources. If you have one you would like to share, please create a post below.

Instructional Coaching Group/Jim Knight Instructional Coaching Group | Progress Through Partnership

Bright Morning Consulting/Elena Aguilar Bright Morning | We coach leaders today for a brighter tomorrow. (brightmorningteam.com)

Student Centered Coaching/Diane Sweeney Diane Sweeney: Student-Centered Coaching

Coaching the Whole Educator/Becca Silver Coaching the Whole Educator

Cult of Pedagogy/Jennifer Gonzalez Cult of Pedagogy

Arizona K-12 Center Podcasts and Professional Learning Resources - Arizona K12 Center

Simply Instructional Coaching Blog - Simply Instructional Coaching

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Instructional Coaching Group | Progress Through Partnership

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Instructional coaches partner with teachers to help them improve teaching and learning so students are more successful. To do this, coaches collaborate with teachers to get a clear picture of current reality, identify goals, pick teaching strategies to meet the goals, monitor progress, and problem s…

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Thank you to the Alabama Department of Education

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The Alabama Reading Initiative presents PHONICS: Student-Centered Coaching

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IES Guide - Foundational Reading practices

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IES Guide - Foundational Reading practices

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Free resource, just create an account with an email address.

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This collection is intended to provide detailed information about reading development and acquisition, evidence-based reading instruction and…

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Please refer to this document for details on the coaching role and requirements of this grant.

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Think of resistance as an unmet need

Change "resistant educator" label to "educator currently experiencing resistance"

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Article: Clarifying the coaching role + Coach/Principal agreements

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Article: Clarifying the coaching role + Coach/Principal agreements

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Thank you to the Alabama Department of Education

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The Alabama Reading Initiative presents FLUENCY: Student-Centered Coaching

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LitHubAZ | Evidence-Based Literacy Strategies Resources Arizona

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LitHubAZ is an Arizona-based orgination that uses evidence-based literacy strategies and resources to support student achievement.

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Comprehensive publication on Structured Literacy from IDA

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Comprehensive publication on Structured Literacy from IDA

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Flipsnack is a digital catalog maker that makes it easy to create, publish and share html5 flipbooks. Upload a PDF or design from scratch flyers, magazines, books and more.

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If you haven't found them already, Jim Knight has several awesome video clips that provide tips on instructional coaching.

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Instructional Coaching - The First 90 Days: How Do I Build Trust?

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Excellent article on how to go beyond the surface to facilitate deep, productive conversations

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Helpful modeling of correct pronunciation

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provided by the International Dyslexia Association- Arizona Branch

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From the ADE Effective Teachers and Leaders Department

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From the ADE Effective Teachers and Leaders Department

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This department offers many opportunities for training and development through Title II at Welcome to Effective Teachers and Leaders | Arizona Department of Education (azed.gov)

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This might be helpful to guide the teacher's observations during a modeled lesson. Edit the questions to focus the teacher on what you want them to observe. As you edit and make this your own, please share tips!