Effective Classroom Instruction - A Literacy Framework Companion Course

This course equips educators and administrators with the knowledge and tools to develop, assess, and implement comprehensive literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with South Dakota ELA Standards. Participants will gain expertise in evaluating early childhood programs through the lens of 11 critical foundational elements including phonological awareness and oral language development. The course provides frameworks for ensuring elementary reading instruction delivers explicit, systematic instruction in phonics, fluency, and other core components. For secondary educators, the focus shifts to effectively embedding disciplinary literacy strategies - including advanced comprehension techniques, vocabulary development, and grammar instruction - across all content areas. Participants will learn to conduct rigorous evaluations of existing reading programs to verify their alignment with both state standards and evidence-based practices. A central component of the course involves utilizing data-driven approaches to strengthen Tier 1 core instruction, thereby minimizing the need for interventions while maximizing outcomes for all learners from early childhood through high school.