ADVANCING LITERACY EDUCATION - A Comprehensive Strategy for Embedding and Scaling the Science of Reading and High-Quality Instructional Materials in Educator Preparation Programs

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

A brief from the Council of Chief State School Officers outlines a scalable approach piloted through the High-Quality Instructional Materials and Professional Development (IMPD) Network Educator Preparation Program Workgroup. The strategy supports state leaders in advancing scientifically based reading instruction by aligning teacher preparation with the science of reading and high-quality, standards-aligned curricula. It emphasizes rigorous on-site EPP review, embedding expert-designed SoR course content into literacy methods coursework, and using program approval to drive continuous statewide improvement, ensuring teacher candidates can use SoR and HQIM to deliver effective grade-level instruction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

IMPD Network purpose and rationale

State requirements and policy landscape

Coordinated strategy for scalable implementation

High-Quality Instructional Materials & Professional Development Network ADVANCING LITERACY EDUCATION: A Comprehensive Strategy for Embedding and Scaling the Science of Reading and High-Quality Instructional Materials in Educator Preparation Programs CCSSO One Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20001 THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Bureau of Indian Education, and five U. S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. Margie Vandeven (Missouri), President Carissa Moffat Miller, Chief Executive Officer IMPD NETWORK In 2017, CCSSO and a cohort of interested states launched the High-Quality Instructional Materials and Professional Development (IMPD) Network dedicated to ensuring that every student, every day, is engaged in meaningful, affirming, grade-level instruction. To realize this vision, research suggests that high-quality, standards-aligned curricula and professional learning connected to that curricula are crucial. CCSSO’s IMPD Network supports states as they work with their districts to adopt HQIM, provide professional development opportunities aligned to those materials and work with educator preparation providers to incorporate a focus on the use of HQIM. Council of Chief State School Officers One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20001 [www.ccsso.org](www.ccsso.org) ADVANCING LITERACY EDUCATION © 2024 by the Council of Chief State School Officers,(ADVANCING LITERACY EDUCATION A Comprehensive Strategy for Embedding and Scaling the Science of Reading and High-Quality Instructional Materials in Educator Preparation Programs), except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) . This brief aims to inform state leaders on a novel approach to advancing teacher preparation practices currently piloted by the High-Quality Instructional Materials and Professional Development (IMPD) Network Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Workgroup.1 This approach is designed to equip future teachers with necessary knowledge and skills relative to the science of reading (SoR) and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), ensuring that their future students receive high-quality instruction. It is the first of a series of briefs that will share the workgroup’s progress. INTRODUCTION An increasing number of states have passed or are considering legislation requiring scientificallybased reading instruction. These laws typically require states to: • Provide training to literacy teachers in SoR. • Require EPPs to prepare aspiring teachers to use SoR-based practices. • Identify or provide guidance to school systems on selecting HQIM that are SoR aligned for school systems to adopt. CCSSO’s Science of Reading Legislation and Implementation State Scan shares additional information on SoR legislation and how states are approaching the implementation of that legislation. Ensuring that teachers are equipped with these skills will require significant changes in how aspiring educators are prepared to teach reading. State education agencies play a critical role in supporting and incentivizing EPPs to make these changes and in advancing policies that codify these changes. With these dynamics in mind, CCSSO’s IMPD Network EPP Workgroup has collaboratively designed an approach that provides state leaders with a structure

FAQs

What does the brief aim to achieve for state leaders?

It informs state leaders about a novel, scalable approach being piloted by the IMPD Network Educator Preparation Program Workgroup to strengthen teacher preparation aligned to the science of reading and high-quality instructional materials.

Which state-facing supports are included in the proposed strategy?

The strategy supports states with a rigorous on-site EPP review process, guidance for embedding expert-designed SoR course content into K-12 literacy methods coursework, and a plan to scale these changes statewide through accountability and continued support.

Why is program approval used as a lever in this approach?

Program approval is used to drive statewide improvement by holding educator preparation programs accountable for ensuring teacher candidates can use SoR and aligned HQIM, while also enabling continuous improvement.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle