The Department of Special Services (DSS) is providing a summer filled with professional learning for special educators and others around the topic of literacy. Quality literacy instruction is crucial to ensure success for all students. The summer of professional learning starts with a Week 1 literacy kickoff on June 27th-July 1st.

The Week 1 Summer Literacy Institute is titled BUILD* TEACH* LEAD: Meaningful Literacy Instruction for Student Success. During this week, selected special educator literacy leaders from all schools will be participating in workshops for the first two days with a sharp focus on literacy instruction from renowned literacy researchers from across the nation. FCPS and DSS is committed to building the capacity of special educators to enhance literacy instruction for all students.

Week 2 and 3 in July and August focuses on two-day LLI Training for teacher triads (special educators, ESOL teachers, and reading teachers). The Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention System (LLI) is a small-group, supplementary intervention program designed to help teachers provide powerful, daily, small-group instruction for students in the early grades.

Week 4, on August 8th-12th consists of a week of training for special educators on varied reading programs designed to provide literacy instruction for students with disabilities. Special education teachers will attend multiple workshops to gain insight into varied evidence-based reading programs to use to provide literacy instruction. Training schedule