Frequency Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Roots of Literacy training? 

This virtual training is the essential first step for Practitioners and Coaches who wish to gain foundational knowledge about the science of reading and Structured Literacy.

How is the Roots of Literacy training organized? 

The training is broken down into two Sections as follows. Multiple cohorts are offered per year in the spring, summer, and fall as follows:  

  • Section 1: 6 days, 9am-3pm EST 

  • Section 2: 5 days, 9am-3pm EST 

What will I learn in the Roots of Literacy, Section 1 training? 

The Roots of Literacy, Section 1 training covers the Word Recognition strands of Scarborough’s Rope: 

  • The Science of the Reading Brain: Understand historical and current approaches to literacy instruction, the science of how the brain learns to read, & neurological learning differences including dyslexia and developmental language disorder.

  • Assessment & Instruction: The 4 types of assessment, evidence-based practices & approaches including Structured Literacy, cognitive strategy instruction & the gradual release model, how to assess & build students’ metacognition, & lesson structure.

  • Word Recognition & Spelling: Phonological awareness, the 44 phonemes of the English language, letter formation, phonics, decoding, encoding, teaching high frequency irregular words, & more. 

What will I learn in Roots of Literacy, Section 2 training? 

Roots of Literacy, Section 2 Training covers the Language Comprehension strands of Scarborough’s Rope: 

  • Fluency: Learn why fluency is the bridge from word recognition to comprehension, how to build fluent readers, & how to motivate students to read. 

  • Vocabulary & Morphology: Learn how to assess and instruct the 3 tiers of vocabulary, how to expand students’ vocabulary through morphology, explicit & implicit instructional practices, & cognitive strategies.

  • Comprehension & Writing: Learn about syntax, text types, and how to create and deliver pre-, during-, post- cognitive strategies to develop deep comprehension.

Is the Roots of Literacy approved for RI’s Dyslexia/Literacy Endorsement? 

Yes, RLD’s Roots of Literacy is approved by the RI Department of Education for the Dyslexia/Literacy Endorsement.

What is the Guided Practicum? 

This is a one-year, virtual program that focuses on implementation of evidence-based literacy practices. 

Each cohort is professionally facilitated and capped at 10 participants to provide an optimal learning experience. 

Who can join the Guided Practicum?  

The Guided Practicum is for Practitioners and Coaches who are ready to implement their new literacy practices with their students under the guidance of an RLD expert. 

Requirement: Before entering the Guided Practicum, Practitioners and Coaches are required to successfully complete Section 1 of RLD’s Roots of Literacy training OR science of reading training with another vendor (e.g., CORE, LETRS, Orton-Gillingham). 

What will I learn in the Guided Practicum? 

You will learn how to: 

  • Administer & analyze literacy assessments

  • Form instructional goals for your student(s)

  • Design/deliver lessons to build students’ word recognition & spelling

You will be able to deliver these new literacy practices to an individual student, small group of students, or a whole class of students in any tier. The Guided Practicum provides professional support as you implement these new practices. 

How many literacy lessons will I deliver during the Guided Practicum? 

Educators deliver a minimum of 55 structured literacy lessons over the course of the year (at least two, 45 - 60 minute lessons per week).

When does the Guided Practicum cohort meet? 

The Guided Practicum is a virtual experience that occurs over 12 Saturdays throughout the year from 9am-11am for a total of 24 hours of direct support. 

Our Teachers in Literacy are available for office hours each of the 12 Saturdays from 8-9am and 11am-12pm for even more individualized support. 

Schedules are released in January of every year.

Who leads and facilitates the Roots of Literacy and the Guided Practicum? 

Our Teachers in Literacy lead the Roots of Literacy training and Guided Practicum. They are current teachers who have taken the journey from whole language to the science of reading themselves and deliver literacy instruction daily. Learn more about our Teachers in Literacy here. 

What is the Peer Mentorship Network for Coaches? 

This Peer Mentorship Network specifically supports Coaches in the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices in classrooms and at the school-wide level.

Topics include the role of a coach and coaching methods, systems and structures, the 4 types of literacy assessments, data meetings, understanding Structured Literacy principles, and designing and leading professional development for educators and families.