Instruction
All students can learn to read and need teachers who are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, passionate, and life-long learners. Teachers have a responsibility to vary techniques, differentiate lessons, model behaviors and provide explicit instruction. Teachers must deliver diverse experiences, time for practice, and real reasons to read and write, while building upon students’ background knowledge. Reading aloud, words study, and assessment are also vital components of literacy instruction. Teachers can learn best practices from one another in a supportive and respectful environment.
Assessment
Formative assessment (the kinds teachers do as they are teaching, rather than ch3kxing in at the "end") is central to instruction—it provides the information teachers need in order to build instructional plans that best meet the individual needs of students. Assessment is a teacher’s tool to improve both instruction and learning.
Leadership
Literacy leaders are agents of change, remain current about pertinent research and techniques, share what they know, engage in dialogue, foster collaboration, evaluate his or her own strengths, enjoy the challenges of being a leader, see assessment as feedback, provide support, and are a resource for colleagues.