Arizona’s Structured Literacy for Success Initiative 

Literacy is foundational to student success and lifelong learning. Arizona has made significant commitments to improving reading achievement through evidence-based instruction and policies supporting the science of reading. To fully realize these goals, educators need comprehensive professional learning opportunities that integrate deep content knowledge, sustained classroom-based coaching, and reflective practice. This is particularly important for teachers working with English learners and students with reading difficulties; these students benefit most from educators with specialized expertise in structured literacy implementation.

Purpose

The goal of Structured Literacy for Success is to transform K–5 literacy instruction across Arizona by building educator capacity in evidence-based structured literacy practices grounded in the science of reading. In partnership with the Arizona K12 Center and the Helios Education Foundation, WestEd is implementing a comprehensive professional development initiative that combines coursework, classroom-based coaching, and reflective Communities of Practice to support 300 teachers in achieving Arizona’s K–5 Literacy Endorsement. This multiyear program aims to improve literacy outcomes for all students, particularly English learners and students with reading difficulties, while establishing Arizona as a national leader in structured literacy professional development.

Through this program, Arizona districts will see

• a higher number of qualified literacy coaches,
• more teachers with Arizona’s K–5 Literacy Endorsement,
• enhanced evidence-based literacy coaching and instruction,
• improved reading scores, and
• sustainable systems for ongoing literacy improvement and collaboration.

Audiences Served

The Structured Literacy for Success program directly serves 300 K–5 teachers (particularly those teaching English learners) and 40 literacy coaches across Arizona through professional learning, coaching, and communities of practice. While the immediate audience is educators pursuing the K–5 Literacy Endorsement, the program ultimately benefits K–5 students—including English learners and students with reading difficulties—through improved evidence-based literacy instruction in their classrooms.

Project Activities

WestEd, in partnership with the Arizona K12 Center, will deliver two 45-contact-hour structured literacy courses aligned with Arizona’s K–5 Literacy Endorsement requirements. Teachers will receive monthly classroom-based literacy coaching (180 minutes per month) from school-based or external coaches. Literacy coaches will participate in reflection-based Communities of Practice in Year 1, with teachers joining in Year 2. The program will serve three cohorts across 3 years, with continuous program improvement and implementation monitoring throughout to refine courses, coaching protocols, and professional learning networks.

With additional contributions from Bejanae Kareem, Kathleen Paulsen, NBCT, and Daniela Robles, NBCT.

Project Director

Misty Sailors

With over 30 years of experience in literacy education and research, Misty Sailors brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Research Director on the Literacy team at WestEd. She leads the research for Reading Apprenticeship and is dedicated to advancing WestEd’s research portfolio and prominence in adolescent literacy.

Funder

This project is funded by the Helios Education Foundation and managed by WestEd and the Arizona K12 Center. 

Project Duration

Fall 2025–Spring 2028