Accelerating Reading Achievement for Struggling Readers

Session Times and Location:

December 1, 2026 and March 8, 2027

R2i2 Conference Center, 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229

Session Times

Registration: 8:30-9:00

Session: 9:00-4:00 with Lunch from 11:45-1:00 (on your own)

Information for Participants

Participants should plan to attend both sessions. The intent of the professional development series is to promote the implementation and sustainability of practices beyond the initial training. The AASC 2026-27 MTSS Summit Series will consist of three components described below.

Initial Professional Learning: Participants will receive initial professional learning from a national expert in the field. The team will decide which specific strategy to implement on a small scale and develop an implementation plan.

Implementation Support: The team members will begin implementing their plan. During the implementation, AASC team members will provide virtual or on-site coaching and support. There will be one scheduled “office hour” with our national expert for questions and comments about implementation.

Insights from the Field: The final session will include each team sharing their implementation insights with their peers. The national leader for each topic will provide feedback and additional implementation ideas for the school or district, based on participants' insights.

Suggested Participants 

The sessions are intended for small teams that can implement and disseminate these practices at the district and school level. The recommended team composition is as follows:

District Level Member: The district-level member will be responsible for ensuring alignment with district priorities and plans and for ensuring the necessary support at the school level.

School Level Instructional Leaders: The school instructional leaders should include individuals who can establish systems to implement the practices by embedding them within the existing tiered instructional system. These individuals will also be responsible for ensuring professional learning and coaching teachers in the building.

Teachers: There should be at least one peer-respected teacher who would implement the practices and serve as a demonstration model and peer coach for other teachers.

Districts may send more than one person per role and more than one school.

EACH TEAM MEMBER SHOULD COMPLETE A REGISTRATION FORM

Full Session Description

Accelerating Reading Achievement for Struggling Readers: From Progress Monitoring to

Matching Diagnostic Data to Intervention

Teams responsible for overseeing interventions and program implementation for students with disabilities must make strategic use of their time and resources. Selecting the right diagnostic tools, matching students with appropriate interventions, and ensuring that those delivering instruction have the skills to intensify support are all essential to improving student outcomes. Join Dr. Devin Kearns for engaging sessions focused on moving beyond progress-monitoring data to using diagnostic data to inform instructional decisions for students receiving additional support. Participants will explore how to identify specific literacy needs, select effective interventions, and apply strategies for intensifying instruction when students need more support.

Teams will leave with practical tools and resources to:

·       Use appropriate diagnostic data to identify specific literacy needs.

·       Select efficient, evidence-based interventions aligned with student needs.

·       Determine when and how to intensify interventions.

·       Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention plan and make informed adjustments.