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Nebraska Literacy Project
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Pamela Bazis
Co-Principal Investigators: Sarah Zuckerman, Emily Fisher
Funding Information
Funding Agency: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
Award Date: Oct 1, 2024
End Date: Dec 31, 2025
Abstract
This project is a continuation and expansion of the 2020 Practice-Based Professional Development project. It is designed to enhance the various tools and resources of the Nebraska Reads initiative by providing practical support and professional development opportunities that can help districts, schools and teachers implement high-quality reading instruction to students.
It includes four complimentary and intertwined components: a practice-based professional development program; assessment training and support; reading leadership training; and a reading tutoring program with web-based support.
During 2020, the project resulted in the development of six professional development modules related to the science of reading, phonological awareness, decoding, spelling, syllabication and multi-sensory approaches to reading instruction. The project partnered with Sidney Public Schools to pilot the workshops in August 2020.
Additionally, the project is providing ongoing support for the district through consultation with the reading leaders in the school district and observation of teachers; stipends to support after school tutoring for children with the highest needs; observation and feedback for teachers implementing tutoring; and interpretation of assessment data.
The project will include ongoing support for Sidney Public Schools, and adaptation and implementation of professional development for two additional school districts or ESUs. The project directors will implement PBPD alongside reading leadership training. They will also continue the reading tutoring program, with 30 participating teachers and 60-90 children from the rural schools