The School Leader’s Literacy Walkthrough is designed to assist school leaders in observing specific research-based practices during literacy instruction (or students’ independent use or application of those practices). This tool is based on rigorous research that indicates the most effective way to teach reading (see Foorman & Connor, 2011, and Foorman & Wanzek, 2015, for reviews) and is aligned to contemporary state standards. This tool is not meant to be used in the evaluation of teachers. Instead, the tool is intended to help school leaders enhance literacy instruction knowledge, communicate with teachers their expectations about literacy instruction, and establish consistent language regarding literacy content and instructional strategies. Further, the use of this tool can be the basis of productive communication and collaboration among school leaders and teachers and inform professional learning needs to improve student achievement in literacy.

State Literacy Plan Priority

• Transitional kindergarten to grade 5: Build teacher capacity for Tier 1 foundational skills and reading comprehension, including best first reading and writing instruction.
• Transitional kindergarten to grade 5: Build school capacity to support students struggling with reading, including, but not limited to, students with disabilities and students with dyslexia.
• Transitional kindergarten to grade 5: Increase sustainable high-quality professional learning systems, including literacy coaching models.
• Grades 6 to 12: Build teacher capacity across disciplines for literacy instruction., 
• Grades 6 to 12: Build school capacity for effective literacy instruction for students with disabilities.