Disciplinary Literacy Task Force

August is a time of promise and passion as we return to our educational contexts. We hope that this newsletter provides you with the resources you need to implement disciplinary literacy!

In this newsletter, you will find:

• Important information about upcoming professional learning events and online courses
• Updated resources to support each bullet point within the School-Wide Essential Practices
• An interactive PDF with GELN Disciplinary Literacy Task Force members' contact information
• A resource "freebie"-- the PLC Quick Start Guide

Happy Reading!

Click on our professional learning flyer to find more information and registration links for these upcoming professional learning events:

• Shaping School-Wide Systems for Effective Instruction at the Secondary Level (register now for the September event!)
• Michigan Assessment Consortium Assessment Learning Network (register now for September!)
• EduPaths online courses (they're free!)
• Disciplinary Literacy for Secondary Leaders online course & cohort

The purpose of the School-Wide Practices in Disciplinary Literacy document is to increase Michigan’s capacity to improve adolescents' literacy by identifying effective practices that can be implemented at the organizational level in secondary schools. To meet the needs of all learners, organizational practices must support literacy development in ways that systematically impact learning throughout schools. There are 8 practices within the document, summarized below:

1. Leadership Team

2. Organizational Climate

3. Learning Environment

4. Professional Learning

5. Academic Support

6. Individual Student Needs

7. Instructional Resources

8. Community Networking

For resources aligned to each of the bullets within the School-Wide Practices document, simply open the Professional Learning Resource Hub and click on the Schoolwide Essentials tab at the bottom!

Looking for ways to support teachers in taking up disciplinary literacy practices, but short on district provided professional development days? Look no further than the PLC Quick Start Guide, an interactive workbook that guides teachers through the process of setting up effective PLCs, engaging in collaborative inquiry cycles around disciplinary literacy, and using research-based approaches and resources. Note: The guide is set to View Only: please make a copy for your own use. Click here to access the guide.

We are always interested to hear how educators are taking up the work of disciplinary literacy. Take a few moments to share your story here: https://forms.gle/Rbuqa6wZCkhy5bnT9.

The Disciplinary Literacy Task Force is comprised of consultants from across the state, each of whom brings his or her own disciplinary expertise. We meet monthly, and our most pressing goal is to continue to scale this work statewide. We also prioritize equity in the delivery of our services as well as building and leveraging partnerships across the state in an effort to promote this important work. Our ongoing work includes planning for, creating and implementing professional learning for secondary educators and using this newsletter, our blog, Twitter, LinkedIn and other publications to broaden awareness about this approach and its benefits to our secondary students. We look forward to increased opportunities to work with you!