Root Literacy Design
Evidence-Based Literacy Solutions Rooted in the Science of Reading
Equipping K-12 educators with practitioner-led professional development, custom school audits, and classroom-tested instructional tools to turn reading research into student success.
We’re rooting for you! Need evidence-based tools for your learners? Click here to apply for our Quarterly Literacy Grant! —awarding $100 to 10 teachers every quarter!
OUR APPROACH
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Master
Learn evidence-based Structured Literacy practices directly from classroom practitioners who utilize them every single day.
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Implement
Move far beyond basic theory. We provide the targeted virtual coaching and customized action plans needed to bring the research to life in your setting.
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Sustain
Maintain high student growth using proprietary instructional tools that have been co-created with educators and rigorously field-tested for 6–12 months.
Flexible, practitioner-led pathways for your professional growth.
FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATORS
✓ Foundational Literacy Training & Practicum
✓ Literacy Coaching Cohorts
✓ Live Literacy Masterclasses
FOR SCHOOL & DISTRICT LEADERS
Build a clear roadmap for systemic literacy growth.
Understand your current state and define your path forward with:
✓ Comprehensive Literacy Audits
✓ Custom Literacy Action Plans
✓ Strategic Mapping of Roles & Responsibilities
THE MISSION
Driven by the Science of Reading. Built by Real Practitioners.
“Educators aren't traditionally trained in the Science of Reading, and true implementation support is incredibly rare. I built this company to solve that problem. We bring in active practitioners who do the work every day to guide others, and we design the exact, classroom-tested instructional tools that don’t exist anywhere else in the world, but are desperately needed. We exist to ensure everyone can read and write so they can live their best life."
— Heather Ballantine, Founder & CEO
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Experience the joy of growing readers.
Plant the seeds of literacy and watch students blossom.
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Start each day with confidence.
With our tools and training, you can finally help your students make true reading and writing progress.
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Save tens of hours on class prep.
Our templates and resources make lesson planning and teaching a breeze.
Root Literacy Design has trained HUNDREDS of educators.
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![Testimonial Amy Goldblatt]()
"I feel really empowered. There is no sense of overwhelm anymore. I have the tools and the skills now."
Amy Goldblatt
Classroom Teacher Grades 3 & 4 -
![Testimonial by Renee Reis]()
"I now feel like there isn't a single student that I can't teach how to read. One of my students went from reading 5 correct words per minute to 17 correct words per minute. She really wasn't reading before."
Renee Reis
Middle School reading Specialist -
![Victoria Lamp]()
“RLD completely changed my approach to literacy, especially for students with learning differences.”
Victoria Lamp,
Director of Special Education 6-12
North Providence, RI -
![Testimonial Brandee Lapisky]()
"This is not at all about what you can do, but what you can inspire other people to do."
Brandee Lapisky
Director K-8 -
![Nikki Gardner]()
“The Foundational Literacy training helps all levels of teachers understand the foundation of the science of reading and also put that foundation to life by practicing, modeling, and creating lessons for our learners.”
Nikki Gardner,
Middle School Teacher -
![Harlyn Benetti]()
" I was not trained in evidence-based literacy practices and was unsure how to help my students become stronger readers. I now know what instruction to give to help my students, and have a plethora or tools I can use."
Harlyn Benetti,
Middle School Humanities Teacher -
![Diane Randall]()
“After the Foundational Literacy training with RLD, I have a tool kit of resources and easy strategies to teach many types of learners WHY and HOW to read and write! Strategies that are intuitive, take minimal preparation, and that WORK!"
Diane Randall,
Art teacher
Get started in 3 EASY STEPS today.
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1. Schedule a Discovery Call
During our 15-minute call, we’ll assess your needs and identify the right pathway for you or your school.
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2. Launch Your Custom Plan
Whether it’s a school-wide audit or professional learning, we provide the evidence-based resources you need to grow readers and writers.
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3. See Your Students Succeed
Bridge the literacy gap and watch your students make real progress. Experience the pride of a classroom—and a community—that truly reads and writes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer training and support to individual educators and schools in the science of reading, Structured Literacy, and evidence-based literacy so that all students learn to read and write.
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We offer virtual training on a nationwide basis to the three groups of educators defined below:
Practitioner: An educator who delivers instruction directly to students. Practitioner roles include K-12 classroom teachers, special educators, teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, MLL specialists, reading specialists, interventionists, and tutors.
Coach: An educator who supports and coaches practitioners. Coach roles include instructional coaches, literacy coaches, reading specialists, facilitators, MLL directors, special education directors, deans, & lead teachers.
Administrator: An educator in an administrative role; one who leads school/district level strategic planning and implementation. School administrators roles include directors, principals, vice principals, and deans.
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RLD provides virtual support to schools nationwide. Additionally, schools in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts may opt for in-person support. Visit our School Partnerships page of our website to learn more.
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Yes. We help educators learn about and implement evidence-based literacy practices, which help ALL students learn to read and write, including multilingual learners (MLLs) and students with IEPs and 504s. We recommend taking a look at The Reading League’s Defining Guide (free) to learn more about the science of reading and evidence-based literacy practices.
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We do offer scholarships for individual educators, as we are committed to ensuring that all students learn to read and write. Please reach out to Heather Ballantine at hballantine@rootliteracydesign.com to learn more.
Sandra Berkley Literacy Grant: One scholarship of $1,000 or two scholarships of $500 each are awarded each year to educators experiencing financial hardship, regardless of geographic location.
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Yes! If you live in Rhode Island and choose to complete your Practicum with a RITES student, you are eligible for the following. scholarship:
RITES Scholarship: This is a $1,100 scholarship that pays educators to complete a literacy practicum. To learn more, contact Heather Ballantine at hballantine@rootliteracydesign.com or Lisa Bigney at lisa@ritutorial.org.
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RLD has four primary offerings:
Roots of Literacy training for Practitioners and Coaches
Guided Practicum for Practitioners and Coaches
Peer Mentorship Network for Coaches
Peer Mentorship Network for Administrators
View our detailed downloadable FAQ here [hyperlink to doc in footer] to learn more about each offering.
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Certifications are available for Roots of Literacy and the Guided Practicum.
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Yes, RLD’s Foundational Literacy training is approved by the RI Department of Education for the Dyslexia/Literacy Endorsement.
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Educators may register for programs of their choice on a first-come, first-served basis. To stay up-to-date with all of our latest announcements, we encourage you to sign up for our email list here. [insert hyperlink]
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Each offering is priced as follows:
Roots of Literacy training for Practitioners and Coaches: $2,500 per person. Schools and districts receive 5% off when enrolling 5 or more people.
Guided Practicum for Practitioners and Coaches: $2,300 per person for one year ($2,000 + $300 of instructional materials)
Peer Mentorship Network for Coaches: $4,500 per person for one year
Peer Mentorship Network for School administrators: $5,500 per person for one year
How Well Do You Know the Science of Reading?
Find out your level of familiarity with evidence-based literacy in just 2 minutes.