For over 35 years, we’ve been helping children thrive through literacy.
Why Literacy Matters
Literacy is a passport to a healthy, happy, and productive life. Today’s children count on us to launch their journey in joyfully literate classrooms.
Every child deserves to experience the joy of reading, the power of using writing and images to express their voice, and the ability to think critically, analytically, and communicate clearly. They need opportunities to use these skills to build knowledge, learn across disciplines, and engage with their world.
Why Teacher Expertise Matters
We know that children’s literacy success depends on the expertise of their teachers. As responsive educators and leaders, it’s our job to build inclusive systems and ensure every child’s right to literacy is realized. Our knowledge—and how we use it—is the key to unlocking each student’s potential.
How Our Expertise Can Support You
For more than three decades, the Center has led system-wide, research-based educational improvement. We deliver high-impact professional learning rooted in reading science and real-world classroom practice.
Our faculty are scholar-practitioners—seasoned educators, coaches, interventionists, and administrators from diverse school settings.
We help educators connect theory to practice, build deep understandings of literacy development, and apply what they learn in thoughtful, responsive ways. We support lasting shifts in both instruction and mindset.
Assessment and observation are essential to our work. We guide educators in using data to inform instruction and drive school-wide improvement.
Our Reach
We’ve partnered with over 50,000 educators across the U.S. and beyond through grants, contracts, and collaborative initiatives.
Our work supports schools in urban, suburban, and rural communities—serving learners of all backgrounds, including multilingual students and those with special needs. Aligned with Lesley University’s mission, we’re committed to closing opportunity gaps and driving social change.
Our Focus
Educator
Expertise
We empower educators to be active decision makers and enhance their expertise as responsive instructors of literacy.
Student
Growth
Our core mission is to accelerate learning and ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a literate life.
Culture &
Coherence
We provide rich learning opportunities for teachers, literacy coaches and school administrators with an ultimate goal of whole school improvement.