Research Supporting Our Professional Development Programs

All of our professional development programs are based on the science of reading. Click here to download a PDF with details. 

Results: Effectiveness of PD

Quality instruction, not programs teach students to read and write. Keys to literacy professional development gives teachers the knowledge they need to deliver research-based, effective literacy instruction. Click here to download a PDF that summarizes study and survey results about the effectiveness of our teacher training. 

Teachers Agree: Students Improve

We polled teachers from 12 schools that had been trained in The Key Comprehension Routine to hear their thoughts on how the strategies were working with students. Here’s what they said:

92%
Improves student comprehension
89%
Enhances students' ability to learn
94%
Easy for students to use
85%
Enhances their ability to teach

Educators Love Our Training

We gave educators post-training surveys on our Comprehension, Writing and Vocabulary training on a scale of 1-5 (5=Excellent). Here’s how we did:

Overall Training Content

4.7 out of 5

Quality of Instruction

4.8 out of 5

Quality of Information

4.8 out of 5

Instructor Knowledge of Subject Matter

4.9 out of 5

Presentation Clear and Well Organized

4.8 out of 5

Instructor Ability to Answer Questions

4.8 out of 5

Teachers Improve Instructional Practice

K-3 teachers were surveyed 3 months after initial and follow-up training concluded. Because the instructional routines are effective, a sample of results indicate a significant change to their literacy related instructional practice.

55%Use a graphic organizer to preview reading content
65%Provide instruction on how to prepare a written or oral summary
72%Teach Two Column note taking

Students Build Literacy Skills

6-9th Grade Teachers in a Massachusetts urban district integrated comprehension instruction to their classroom teaching. When surveyed at the end of the school year, 91% of grade 6-9 students reported use of the strategies:

Use a graphic organizer to organize their thinking
77%
Use summarizing to better understand what they read
86%
Create two-column notes to understand main ideas and details
91%
“Keys to Literacy truly jump started and redefined the way we teach writing at Cawley Middle School.  Our teachers have a common and consistent vocabulary that is shared across grade levels.  Keys to Literacy has been instrumental in working with our teachers to design authentic writing experiences for our students.  As a result of our work with Keys to Literacy we now have a structure in place with clear expectations for teaching writing.”
— Matt Benson, Principal, Cawley Middle School, Hooksett, NH
“We have had a wonderful experience working with KTL.  It’s great to have such an engaged think partner when developing high quality PD for educators. From the planning to the delivery, they are organized, committed and are very well received by teachers.”
— Lori Gallivan, Executive Director Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability, Saugus, MA
“Keys to Literacy epitomizes the high quality service provider. They are innovative, strategic, consistent in keeping up with the latest research-based instructional practices, and consummate professionals who tailor their work to the needs of your district. By far, they are one of the best PD providers I have worked with over the past ten years.”
— Rashaun J. Martin, Social Studies Supervisor, Haverhill Public Schools, MA
“KTL Comprehension is changing the way Burlington teachers are instructing their students. It has brought much-needed consistency to the strategies teachers in grades 6-12 are using in their own content curriculum in all secondary grades. The trainers are knowledgable, energetic, and fun. Most importantly, our teachers are finding the strategies presented to them useful and beneficial to all students.”
— Renee Sacco, District Literacy Coach, Burlington, MA
“Keys to Literacy PD gets rave reviews from our teachers. The best thing about it is that the strategies the teachers are learning can be used in any grade and any discipline.”
— Patrick Larkin, Assistant Superintendent for Learning, Burlington Public Schools, MA
“

Our district has been working with the Keys to Literacy team for the past several years. Their approachable, highly knowledgeable presenters utilized an interactive and real-world presentation style that won over staff trust. One area that we found highly valuable was receiving research-based strategies that could be used across all content areas. The strategies are simple and effective.  The books received for the sessions summarize the very best strategies for reading and learning for all students. It is clearly one of the best PD providers I have ever worked with.

”
— Dr. Maria Hoffmaster, Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum and Instruction, Poland Local Schools
Previous Next

ACCESSING KEYS TO LITERACY PD DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the impact on our employees and the schools where we provide professional development.

During this time period when onsite, face-to-face training and coaching is not possible, we offer multiple options for accessing our literacy PD content and instructional practices.

If you are a current or new partner, explore our website or contact us to learn more about:

info@keystoliteracy.com
978-948-8511