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Trails to LiteracyTrails to Literacy is a proven highly effective, on-going, site-based, schoolwide model of professional development for accelerating teaching and learning performance and raising student achievement in diverse, high poverty, urban schools. Operational for seven years, Trails is a theory-based pedagogy that when infused with regular school programs, with differentiated levels of support for principals and teachers, it changes the culture of schools from one of fragmentation to one of unification in all major aspects of instruction and leadership, thereby enhancing performance and achievement for students, teachers and principals alike. Trails is not biased against or for any published programs but rather collaborates with principals and teachers in building cohesive, relevant and consistent systems for curriculum planning, instruction and assessment right across the school, year by year. Over time the multi-layered support systems prepare teachers, as collaborators and critical friends, to make sound instructional and professional decisions based on collectively identified student and teacher needs and goals. Trails helps principals and teachers “work smarter, not harder.” Quote from a letter from a principal from one of the Trails to Literacy flagship schools in Portland. “Over time, the staff had developed two year integrated curriculum plans that aligned with state standards. These plans are the core documents that guide the staff in their teaching. They are in use and a work in progress as the children's needs change, standards are updated and the staff level of understandings grows. The staff also has a common language in place when discussing reading, writing and language development. English Language Learners, Special Education children and Talented and Gifted children's needs are more effectively met given the work that has been done with Leanna. The achievement gap among minority cultural and racial groups at Arleta is lessening. Many of the staff have acknowledged that they now realize that they can teach a child to read using almost any text and do not require a "program". The staff has an increased level of confidence in their work and Arleta's standardized test scores have grown substantially.” A comprehensive illustrated brochure is available by clicking here. Contact Leanna Traill for information about bringing Trails to Literacy to your school or district.
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