K-16 Literacy Center

Center Alignment with the UT Tyler Strategic Plan

The K-16 Literacy Center closely aligns with three of the pillars of the UT Tyler Strategic plan. The center supports educators by—

1. Preparing university program candidates for success as highly qualified reading professionals (Pillar I: Student Success);
2. Engaging in research aimed at generating and disseminating knowledge about literacy and its teaching (Pillar III: Research & Scholarship); and
3. Contributing to solving critical literacy challenges through partnerships, projects, and initiatives with local area schools and community agencies (Pillar VI: Community Engagement).

Consistent with the goals of the K-16 Literacy Center, during the 2017-2018 academic year, members of the literacy team engaged in the following core activities that support improved literacy instruction and student achievement outcomes.

1. Preparation of reading professionals to serve in roles as classroom teachers and reading specialists in K-12 settings. A total of 30 students completed a master’s degree in reading and are currently serving as classroom teachers and reading specialists in East Texas and around the state.
2. Research & scholarship to advance literacy education. Collectively, members of the literacy team published one book, and 14 articles or book chapters in refereed publications, along with seven presentations at state or national conferences. 
3. Partnerships projects with East Texas Schools aimed at strengthening instructional practices in K-12 schools. Through partnerships with local areas schools in East Texas, members of the literacy team designed, implemented, and evaluated five literacy interventions, provided seven professional development workshops to support teacher learning, and organized one literacy academy with follow-up coaching for teachers and school principals in selected schools in East Texas.
4. Partnership projects with community agencies aimed at improving literacy skills of children and adults. Through partnerships with community agencies (e.g., Salvation Army, Glass Recreation Center, Champions for Children), members of the literacy team designed, implemented, and evaluated six programs aimed at supporting staff professional development, family engagement, and students’ literacy development in East Texas schools.