Literacy

Improving the quality of literacy instruction

Literacy Support

Across the educational landscape, schools are tasked with meeting the diverse learning needs of students and the professional development needs of teachers. District and building administrators face challenges in aligning instruction with high-impact strategies supported by the science of reading and selecting and implementing curricular materials. As the focus on science of reading-based instructional practices continues to grow, opportunities exist to better align literacy instruction with current research.

Our Impact

CELL has worked with 389 schools and organizations to improve the quality of literacy instruction

At CELL, we are poised to help schools support educators as they work to provide high-quality instruction aligned with the science of reading from early childhood through high school. We are actively working with a collection of schools and districts and are expanding our capacity to serve more. Additionally, we are also actively supporting higher education educator preparation programs (EPPs) in Indiana as they work to incorporate science of reading research and practices to fully align with state licensing mandates. 

Based on your organization’s needs, CELL can assist in the following ways:

  • Collaborative instructional rounds
  • Data analysis
  • On-site professional development
  • Curriculum/program review
  • Support for literacy leaders
  • Support for paraprofessionals
  • Modeling
  • And more

We believe every student deserves evidence-based, developmentally appropriate literacy instruction to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. We also recognize that every school has unique literacy needs.

Case Studies

CELL delivered customized professional development for Anderson Community Schools, spanning grades 4–12. Priorities were identified through collaboration with building and district leaders, as well as classroom learning walks. Using a research-to-practice approach, each reading-science-aligned session was designed to equip teachers with actionable strategies to support the diverse needs of their students.

"CELL has been instrumental in providing professional development and resources that have enhanced our literacy programs. The impact has been significant. We have seen improvements in student reading and writing skills, as well as greater engagement in lessons." -Dr. Eric Davis, Assistant Superintendent

CELL collaborated with Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation to deliver onsite learning during the district's professional development day. Two tailored sessions were created to support elementary teachers in deepening their understanding of reading science.

"CELL created custom literacy PD that focused on the needs of our educators. Through a few consultation meetings and a staff survey, they developed two sessions to solidify foundational understanding of reading science. This served as a launching point for our curriculum adoption process to ensure all staff had the same background knowledge to make informed decisions. The team at CELL is amazing to work with. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable, they met our district where we were and helped move us forward." -Brian Lovell, Director of Curriculum

CELL partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to offer research-driven technical assistance and support as the college enhanced its literacy coursework for pre-service teachers.

"Throughout our partnership with CELL, we found knowledgeable, accommodating, and action-oriented thought partners for multiple phases of our Science of Reading work, which included concept design, program development, and insights into application. CELL exceeded expectations and helped elevate the work we are doing to improve literacy outcomes for young Hoosiers across the state of Indiana." -Dr. Tracy Hastings, Executive Director of Education and Early Literacy Initiatives

"Ivy Tech Community College has utilized CELL services to support various projects over the past decade, including recent thought partnership and strategic efforts to advance integration of the Science of Reading into our curriculum. We value our partnership with CELL in service to our young Hoosiers." -Dr. Rebecca Rahschulte, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Associate Provost

CELL partnered with Noblesville Schools on their K-12 English and Language Arts program review. Through shared learning in scientifically-based reading instruction, classroom observations, collaborative sessions, and comprehensive data collection from staff, parents, and students, Noblesville Schools developed data-informed plans for continuous literacy improvement.

"CELL has significantly supported our school's literacy work by contributing their expertise to our program review. Specifically, they helped us understand relevant literacy research, participated in classroom walkthroughs, and assisted with data analysis, all in close collaboration with our team. Megan's skills and knowledge were instrumental in moving our program review forward, ultimately enhancing our understanding of how literacy impacts all areas of learning." -Jennifer Townsend, Executive Director of Learning

CELL partnered with United Way of Central Indiana to provide research-based technical assistance, ensuring that the ReadUP structures and materials align with the science of reading. Both in-person and virtual professional development were provided, ensuring clarity for all stakeholders.

"The team at CELL has been a valuable partner to our organization as we look to refine a long-standing program in order to best meet the needs of our school partners." -Julie Kilger, Director of Early Care and Learning

Indiana Literacy Cadre

CELL serves as an initiative leader for the Indiana Literacy Cadre, which is working to help Indiana’s students read proficiently by the end of third grade.

The Indiana Literacy Cadre develops and implements collaborative professional development for K-3 educators across the state based on the science of reading, a compilation of evidence-based research on reading, reading development, and reading instruction.

Contact Our Team

Interested in beginning a conversation about how CELL can support your school or organization through literacy services? Contact our team today.

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From Our Partners
Dr. Eric Davis headshot
Dr. Eric Davis
Former Assistant Superintendent, Anderson Community Schools

My experience working with CELL has been incredibly positive. They are a collaborative, supportive organization that listens to our needs and works alongside us to develop solutions that are relevant to our school community. Their expertise in literacy education is evident, and they’ve been a valuable partner in helping us improve our instructional practices.

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