In this episode we welcome Dr. Sharon Walpole, a professor at the University of Delaware. We explore the challenges teachers face in addressing varying student needs, Dr. Walpole’s pragmatic approach to differentiation, and the developmental roadmap for reading proficiency. Dr. Walpole shares insights on the importance of grade-level instruction, the flaws of certain assessment systems, and practical classroom applications.

Make sure to check out Dr. Walpole’s books with Guilford Press! https://www.guilford.com/author/Sharon-Walpole

00:00 Introduction to Differentiation
01:03 Meet Dr. Sharon Walpole
02:15 Defining Differentiation
03:23 Acceleration vs. Remediation
04:45 Pragmatic Approaches to Differentiation
08:03 Challenges with Guided Reading
16:46 The Science of Reading and Differentiation
23:51 The Stairway to Proficiency Model
35:47 Maximizing Instructional Impact
36:03 The Importance of Dosage in Education
36:38 Resources for Differentiated Reading Instruction
37:35 Grouping Students for Effective Learning
40:20 Aligning Small Group and Whole Group Instruction
48:57 Tiered Instruction: Strategies and Misconceptions
56:40 Effective Use of Paraprofessionals
01:01:32 Curriculum and Instructional Materials
01:03:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Teaching Literacy Podcast, host Jake Downs discusses with Dr. Michael Coyne from the University of Connecticut the concept of advanced phonemic awareness and its implications for early reading proficiency. Dr. Coyne shares findings from his recent study that examines the impact of using oral-only advanced phonemic awareness instruction on first graders. They explore the theoretical underpinnings, practical recommendations for teachers, and the overall relevance of these findings to classroom practice. Tune in to understand the nuanced debate around advanced phonemic awareness and its role in effective literacy instruction.

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Phonemic Awareness
01:33 Guest Introduction: Dr. Michael Coyne
02:25 Defining Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
06:29 Research on Phonemic Awareness
10:04 Advanced Phonemic Awareness: Concepts and Tasks
12:17 Theoretical Underpinnings and Critiques
20:21 Study Overview: Curriculum and Implementation
26:55 Study Design and Measures
29:44 Evaluating Phonemic Awareness Instruction
30:46 Study Results: Phonemic Awareness Outcomes
32:54 Near Transfer Outcomes: Word Reading and Fluency
34:53 Exploring Differential Benefits
37:39 Recommendations for Phonemic Awareness Instruction
42:17 Balancing Oral and Integrated Phonemic Awareness Activities
50:15 Optimism in Literacy Research and Instruction
52:29 Jake’s Take on Teaching Phonemic Awareness

Reference:
Coyne, M. D., McCoach, D. B., Santoro, L. E., Gentile, M., Rodrigues, C., & Kastner, P. (2025). The Effects of Advanced Phonemic Awareness Instruction in First Grade. The Elementary School Journal, 000–000. https://doi.org/10.1086/737952

How can we best apply the Science of Reading to support multilingual learners? This episode tackles that critical question with Dr. Steven Amendum from the University of Delaware.

We explore how evidence-based literacy instruction must leverage a student’s first language as a key asset, not a barrier. Dr. Amendum breaks down practical teaching strategies to boost decoding and reading comprehension for bilingual and multilingual students in diverse classrooms.

You’ll also learn how to build effective collaboration between classroom teachers and language specialists and hear about the research-demonstrated impact of the Bella professional learning program. If you’re looking for actionable, research-driven approaches to support your English learners, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 – Introduction and overview of the episode
02:07 – Current support and challenges for multilingual learners in schools
04:29 – State vs. federal roles and legislation for multilingual learners
06:49 – Key research: Importance of first language (L1) in English reading development
09:21 – Cross-linguistic transfer and leveraging home language as an asset
11:09 – Oral language, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies in L1 and L2
13:44 – Practical strategies for teachers: supporting students without knowing their L1
17:30 – Previewing text language and other evidence-based practices
21:28 – Benefits of these strategies for all students
23:00 – Decoding, fluency, and phonological awareness across languages
25:54 – Instructional strategies: Blend as you go & Say it, move it
34:29 – Peer support and collaborative learning
36:10 – Effective teacher collaboration and professional learning
41:00 – Evidence of impact: Bella program and student outcomes
44:35 – Final thoughts and optimism for literacy research
46:18 – Jake’s Take

Reference:
Kittle, J. M., Amendum, S. J., & Budde, C. M. (2024). What Does Research Say About the Science of Reading for K-5 Multilingual Learners? A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews. Educational Psychology Review, 36(4), 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09942-6

In episode 69 of the Teaching Literacy Podcast, host Jake Downs speaks with Dr. Kay Wijekumar, Houston Endowed Chair in the Department of Teaching and Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University. They discuss the importance of teaching students to generate rather than find the main idea in texts, detailing Dr. Wijekumar’s evidence-based KAT framework (Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation). The episode delves into how the main idea is foundational for reading comprehension and explores practical strategies for teachers, touching on the inefficacies of current curricular practices. Dr. Wijekumar highlights her website, literacy.io, which offers resources and professional development for educators. The conversation also includes a discussion on the critical role of text structures, and how principals and coaches can support teachers in implementing these strategies effectively.

00:00 Show Opening
02:23 Literacy as a Civil Right
04:47 Literacy.io: A Resource for Teachers
08:48 Challenges in Identifying the Main Idea
12:10 Generating vs. Finding the Main Idea
15:49 Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation (KAT) Framework
25:11 Text Structure and Main Idea
34:15 Cause, Problem, Solution Text Structure
35:59 Identifying Causes and Solutions in Education
38:59 The KAT Framework: Knowledge, Acquisition, and Transformation
40:31 Implementing the KAT Framework in Classrooms
41:37 Scaffolding and Sentence Stems for Effective Learning
49:03 Inference Questions and Background Knowledge
01:00:59 Teachers and Coaches: Improving Main Idea Identification
01:07:55 Conclusion and Optimism for Literacy Instruction
01:10:40 Jake’s Take: What Matters Most?

References
Hudson, A. K., Owens, J., Moore, K. A., Lambright, K., & Wijekumar, K. (2021). “What’s the Main Idea?”: Using Text Structure to Build Comprehension. The Reading Teacher, 75(1), 113–118. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2016

Rice, M., & Wijekumar, K. (2024). Inference skills for reading: A meta-analysis of instructional practices. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(4), 569–589. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000855

Rice, M., Wijekumar, K. (Kay), Lambright, K., & Stack, A. (2024). Promoting Inference Generation: Using Questioning and Strategy Instruction to Support Upper Elementary Students. The Reading Teacher, 78(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2353

Wijekumar, K., Beerwinkle, A., McKeown, D., Zhang, S., & Joshi, R. M. (2020). The “GIST” of the reading comprehension problem in grades 4 and 5. Dyslexia, 26(3), 323–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1647

Wijekumar, K., Hudson, A., Lambright, K., Owens, J. K., Binks-Cantrell, E., Beerwinkle, A., & Stack, A. (2023). Knowledge acquisition and transformation (KAT) using text structures. The Reading League Journal.

Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller and Dr. Eunsoo Cho discuss building a strategic assessment system in literacy education. They cover how to use data to inform reading instruction, the difference between screeners, diagnostics, curriculum based measures, and computer adaptive tests, and the importance of reliability in assessments. Common pitfalls like over-testing and teaching to the test are addressed, along with practical advice for setting up a coherent and actionable assessment framework in schools.

Show Documents:
Michigan Department of Education (2020). Early literacy assessment systems that support learning. Lansing, MI: Authors. https://www.michiganassessmentconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/ELAS_Guide_2020_v5.pdf
Truckenmiller, A. J., Cho, E., Bourgeois, S., & Friedman, E. (2024). Uses and Misuses of Commercial Reading Assessment: An Applied Framework for Decision Making in Grades K through 6. The Reading Teacher, 77(5), 609–623. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2274
Truckenmiller, A., Coyne, M., Valentine, K., & Moura, P. (2025). Independent Researcher Review of Commercial Reading Screening Assessment Suites May 2025. https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/vrn3g_v1

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:36 The Importance of a Strategic Assessment System
05:25 Different Stakeholders, Different Data Needs
09:50 Assessment of Learning vs. Assessment for Learning
13:31 The Myth of the One Perfect Assessment
17:18 Understanding Screener, Diagnostic, and Progress Monitoring Assessments
28:26 CBM vs. CAT: Formats of Assessment
34:42 Accuracy in Assessment: Sensitivity and Specificity
38:05 Balancing Sensitivity and Specificity in Assessments
39:22 Importance of Reliable Assessments
40:40 Challenges of Over and Under Identification
45:12 Informal Reading Inventories: Pros and Cons
46:14 Modern Assessments and Their Advantages
54:48 Common Pitfalls in Data Usage
57:15 Over Testing and Its Implications
01:00:35 Teaching to the Test: A Critical Look
01:06:24 Building a Coherent Assessment System
01:13:55 Optimism for the Future of Literacy Research

Guest host Dr. Kristin Conradi Smith interviews Dr. Jake Downs about the ‘secret soup’ of highly effective K-2 teacher teams.

Link to Jake’s Study: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/2/259

Downs, J., Martz, K., & Mohr, K. (2025). Exploring the Instructional Effectiveness of High-Growth K-2 Teacher Teams in Foundational Reading. Education Sciences, 15(2), https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020259

Link to ULEAD Report: https://schools.utah.gov/ulead/uleadfiles/reports/ipr/Instructional%20Clarity%20Early%20Lit%20IPR.pdf

Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6

Episode Outline & Show Notes

• 00:00 — Host Introduction & Listener Call-to-Action
  Jake asks listeners for impact statements to support his third-year review.
• 01:23 — Guest Host Introduction
  Kristin Conradi Smith introduces herself and the episode’s focus on effective K-2 teacher teams.
• 01:44 — Introducing Jake & Study Overview
  Kristin introduces Jake as the guest, outlines his research on high-growth teacher teams.
• 02:20 — Defining Teacher Effectiveness
  Jake discusses different ways to define “effectiveness” and the study’s focus on student growth.
• 04:07 — Why Study Teams?
  Jake explains the importance of studying effective teams, not just individual teachers.
• 06:32 — District Background
  Jake describes the “Lincoln School District,” its shift in reading instruction, and its reputation for growth.
• 09:00 — Study Methods: Quantitative Data
  Jake explains how teams were identified using ACADIS data and effect sizes.
• 11:32 — Student Growth Results
  Jake shares impressive proficiency gains by grade level and discusses effect sizes.
• 13:43 — Mixed Methods & Qualitative Interviews
  Transition to focus group interviews with teacher teams and how themes were identified.
• 16:36 — Theme 1: Collaboration
  Teams engage in active, data-driven collaborative planning and shared student ownership.
• 21:23 — Theme 2: Affordances for Instruction
  Teachers describe autonomy, flexibility, and supportive professional development.
• 28:59 — Theme 3: Data Practices & Goal Setting
  Regular data meetings, intentional goal setting at team/class/student levels, and actionable use of data.
• 41:29 — Theme 4: Teacher Factors
  Discussion of teacher knowledge, beliefs, and collective efficacy.
• 44:57 — Key Takeaways & Reflections
  Jake and Kristin reflect on the “secret soup” of effective teams, the importance of systems, and actionable insights for schools.
• 53:21 — Assessment & Goal Setting in Practice
  How effective teams use assessment and goal setting to drive instruction.
• 57:20 — Teacher Development
  The value of both top-down and bottom-up professional learning.
• 1:00:26 — Final Thoughts & Optimism
  Jake and Kristin discuss optimism for the future of reading research and practice.
• 1:04:02 — Closing & Kristin’s Take
  Kristin summarizes the study’s impact and calls for more collaborative, teacher-centered research.

Melissa and Lori invited Jake to discuss Synchronous Paired Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT) — Listen to the episode here!

Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6

Please write a short impact statement for Jake’s USU review packet (and thank you!): https://forms.gle/QcUs8ciMcAy2yG6L6

In this episode, host Jake Downs welcomes guest Dr. Freddy Hebert, a renowned literacy researcher, CEO/Founder of TextProject. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of automaticity, the core vocabulary, reading volume, and shifts in text complexity over the decades. They also dive into how teachers can better support students’ reading proficiency, particularly in early grades, and discuss actionable strategies for educators. The episode concludes with reflections on the current state and future of reading research and instruction.

Link to TopicReads at TextProject: https://textproject.org/teachers/free-texts/topicreads-primary/

Link to figures mentioned by Dr. Hiebert: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m36jgp8Dt055UrdEa73IQAFES7PPemc_/view

Figure 1 shows the reading accuracy by percentile in grades 1-8. Figure 2 shows the ratio of rare words from core reading programs 1957-2014.

Episode Overview
01:51 Welcome to the Teaching Literacy Podcast
02:28 Introduction to Reading Automaticity
03:36 Defining and Understanding Reading Automaticity
08:10 Core Vocabulary and Its Importance
11:28 Challenges with Rare Words and Proper Names
19:29 Implications for Teaching and Curriculum Design
31:00 Introduction to TextProject.org
31:21 The Importance of Reading Volume
32:19 Engaging Students with Texts
33:15 Statistical Learning and Vocabulary
39:56 Challenges in Reading Programs
46:15 Third Grade Reading Emphasis
48:58 Complexities of English Orthography
54:26 Optimism in Reading Research
56:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts