Enhancing Literacy Instruction and Learning for All

Improving literacy instruction and achievement across content areas with research-based services and supports

Literacy is the foundation for success from pre-k through postsecondary education and career. Learners with strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills demonstrate academic achievement, engagement across all subjects, and confidence in learning.

That’s why our staff work hand in hand with educators to implement evidence-based reading, writing, and oral language approaches that shape teaching and leadership practice, inform and evaluate policy, and help our partners develop strategic literacy plans that improve outcomes for all learners.

Grounded in science of reading research and structured literacy approaches, alongside disciplinary literacy—the specialized ways of reading, writing, and communicating unique to each academic field—our approach to literacy helps improve outcomes for all ages and stages of learning.

Our Capacities

We work collaboratively with state and local education agencies to create literacy frameworks and actionable, scalable literacy plans to improve student literacy outcomes.

Featured Project

Alaska Strategic Reading Plan

Working through the Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest, WestEd supported the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development in designing a statewide Strategic Reading Plan that addressed the Alaska Reads Act and helped Alaska leaders ensure that students are reading at grade level.

Featured Project

Oregon Early Literacy Framework Implementation

Our team helped the Oregon Department of Education implement its statewide Early Literacy Framework. Our work with state leaders sought to address the impact of lost instructional time during the COVID-19 pandemic on K–5 literacy development for all students.

Through our flagship service, Reading Apprenticeship, and other high-impact professional learning offerings, we help you elevate literacy instruction. We incorporate the science of reading and disciplinary literacy across our services to build teacher expertise and strengthen leadership and coaching capacity to support learners in all stages of literacy development.

Featured Service

Writing Apprenticeship (Grades 6–12)

Writing Apprenticeship provides high-quality, research-based professional learning for educators to transform instruction so that students write, think, talk, and reason like practitioners of the discipline in supportive classroom environments. Learn more about Writing Apprenticeship.

Featured Project

Structured Literacy Learning (Grades K–5)

We support research-based professional learning and coaching to enhance learning from kindergarten through elementary grades. We offer flexible courses, classroom-based coaching, and leadership support that aligns with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support frameworks to transform literacy outcomes, all grounded in the science of reading and designed for multilingual populations.

We specialize in conducting rigorous research and evaluation to drive decision-making and assess the impact and effectiveness of literacy policies, programs, and interventions. We help collect and analyze data to identify root issues and inform continuous improvement to drive scalable impact for literacy outcomes.

Featured Project

Colorado READ Act Evaluation

WestEd conducted an independent evaluation measuring outcomes, including the extent to which targeted district funding impacted student progress in reading. We helped state leaders understand the impacts of READ Act funding and support on students, families, schools, and districts.

Featured Project

Evaluation of California’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

Using quantitative and qualitative measures, WestEd conducted an evaluation of the key objectives of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant to advance literacy, including preliteracy skills for early learners and reading and writing skills. We helped state leaders understand the degree to which CLSD advanced the use of evidence-based practices, activities, and interventions.

We develop and identify resources to support literacy approaches aligned with state or local priorities. We also build leadership capacity to independently evaluate and select high-quality instructional materials.

Featured Project

Developing State-Specific Resources for Montana

Working through the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Northwest and partnering with Montana’s Office of Public Instruction, WestEd led the development of a comprehensive MTSS-R facilitator guide that helps districts self-assess their reading support systems and create data-driven improvement plans. The six-part professional learning process enhances literacy leadership capacity for evidence-based decision-making.

Featured Project

Identifying and Curating Literacy Resources for Oregon Educators

Partnering with the Oregon Department of Education, WestEd launched the Oregon Early Literacy Resources website, which brings evidence-based practices to life, providing open educational resources and different professional development pathways. It focuses on components such as foundational skills, reading comprehension, and student belonging and community partnerships.

We recognize the important role that high-quality assessments play in advancing literacy teaching and learning, so our experts design innovative solutions to improve and modernize literacy assessment. Our assessments strengthen your efforts to collect and interpret meaningful evidence across all stages of student learning.

Featured Project

Louisiana K–2 Literacy Screener

WestEd provided the state of Louisiana with a range of assessment support, including developing secure forms for the state’s end-of-year assessments, conducting a linking study, and providing psychometric support. Our work supported a statewide goal to train teachers in using data to set and monitor literacy goals and provide instructional support.

Featured Project

Massachusetts Early Literacy Screening Data Research

WestEd created a usable database of early literacy screeners and supported Massachusetts in using the screener data to ensure that they lead to the desired outcomes and that all students have the foundational skills needed to be successful readers. 

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Featured Services and Projects

Reading Apprenticeship

Reading Apprenticeship is a professional development model and instructional approach that aims to improve academic literacy for middle, high school, and college students.

Service

Writing Apprenticeship

Writing Apprenticeship is an all-new professional development model and instructional approach that aligns with Reading Apprenticeship to equip middle and high school educators to support students with real-world writing practices, providing a focus on discipline-specific understanding, reflection, and authentic connection with audiences.

Service

Reading to Learn

WestEd’s Reading to Learn provides teachers, teacher leaders, and instructional coaches with a simple and practical framework to help students comprehend traditional and nontraditional texts.

Service

The Formative Writing Framework for Literacy Teaching and Learning

The Formative Writing Framework helps clarify writing instruction, calibrates consistent scoring, and provides user-friendly resources to address student challenges.

Service

Reading Apprenticeship Academic Literacy Learning (RA4ALL): Invitation to Collaborate

WestEd invites school districts to support 8th and 9th grade students in developing literacy skills.

Study

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Insights & Impact

BlogArticles

What Principals Can Do to Cultivate a School Climate in Which Disciplinary Literacy Thrives

BlogArticles

Building a Statewide Vision for Literacy: Q&A With Oregon’s Director of Literacy and a WestEd Assessment Expert

A teacher helping an early elementary school student to read

BlogArticles

The Importance of Early Literacy Assessments—and Why They Must Be Used Wisely

BlogArticles

Metacognitive Literacy Routines That Support Content Area Learning

BlogArticles

Why Disciplinary Literacy Belongs in Elementary Classrooms

Literacy at WestEd Blog Series - Amanda Nabor, Annette Gregg, Lyn Westergard

BlogArticles

Supporting Multilingual Learners in Disciplinary Literacy

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Events

Events

Literacy at WestEd: Leading Together Webinar Series

Events

Role of Instructional Coaches in Implementing Disciplinary Literacy Instruction

Events

Ensuring Literacy Success Across the Disciplines for Students With Disabilities

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Resources

Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.

Building a Brighter Future: WestEd Resource Collection for Thriving Learners, Empowered Communities

Literacy at WestEd: WestEd's Leading Together 30-Minute Webinar Series: Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas: Helping Students Improve Comprehension in Grades K–5

Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas: Helping Students Improve Comprehension in Grades K–5

Literacy at WestEd: WestEd's Leading Together 30-Minute Webinar Series: Literacy Practices That Support Multilingual Student Success Across Content Areas

Literacy Practices That Support Multilingual Student Success Across Content Areas

Perspectives Legislating Literacy Featured Image

Legislating Literacy at the State Level: Six Considerations for Supporting Students With Disabilities

Strengthening Literacy Routines in Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts

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Enhancing Literacy Instruction and Learning for All

Our Capacities