American Reading Company Teams Up with Literacy Design Collaborative to Provide Professional Development Services Nationwide

The Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and American Reading Company (ARC) have entered into a partnership to provide high quality professional learning experiences designed to develop educators’ capacity to implement rigorous Common Core instruction from Kindergarten through 12th grade. LDC is a teacher-created instructional design system that transforms educator practice through the use of online tools and resources that facilitate collaboration, content development, and professional learning to effectively implement College and Career Readiness Standards in K–12 classrooms. American Reading Company joins an impressive lineup of approved LDC provider organizations. See LDC Partners.

LDC fosters sustainable growth within its Community of Practice through efficient and productive collaboration for educators across 50 states, leveraging an expanding network of literacy partners nationally. Partners include state education departments, national research institutions, national labor unions, teacher- practitioners, school and district leaders, and other teacher training service providers. American Reading Company welcomes the opportunity to join this effort, which is designed to bring the best possible professional learning experiences to teachers across the country.

American Reading Company is an educational services provider that has been designing solutions intended to foster improved literacy proficiency, self-esteem, and confidence in young readers. ARC started its work with LDC in 2012 when it began supporting several large district implementations through the provision of texts and resources aligned with LDC modules. This even deeper partnership with LDC represents an opportunity to collectively increase professional capacity in order to promote more effective LDC implementations. American Reading Company designs professional development with the adult learner in mind, incorporating a gradual release model, starting with a workshop, moving into grade group meetings, then into “fishbowl” demonstration lessons, and finally into 1:1 support as needed.

“We see this partnership with LDC as an incredible opportunity to impact the quality of teaching and learning as we further the implementation of more rigorous college and career readiness standards,” says American Reading Company Founder and CEO Jane Hileman. “We can’t increase accountability and expectations for teachers and students without also increasing the provision of high-quality supports and resources.” Chief Academic Officer Megan Maloney added, “We are excited about the partnership with LDC because it affords us an opportunity to directly impact teacher capacity by providing them with a set of tools that ensure effective instructional practices.”

According to LDC Executive Director Chad Vignola, "Given its focus on improving reading scores in schools and districts nationwide, American Reading Company’s systematic approach to reading is a perfect complement to LDC’s mission of enabling all K–12 educators to succeed in implementing the high expectations embodied in the CCRS as they accelerate their professional growth and increase student outcomes. We are pleased to welcome the American Reading Company as an approved partner to provide LDC coaching and training.”

About the Literacy Design Collaborative

The Literacy Design Collaborative is a national community of professional educators working together to prepare students for college and the 21st century workplace. LDC, with generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, delivers proven, teacher-designed tools and resources to help students meet and exceed College and Career Readiness Standards. www.LDC.org