Keys to Literacy & Higher Education: An Ideal Partnership
Keys to Literacy partners with teacher preparation programs to equip preservice teachers with the knowledge, skills, and evidence-based instructional practices they need to meet the literacy needs of every learner they will teach. We are proud to be a trusted partner for educator preparation programs. Our books and online professional learning courses are used in courses at more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Why Partner With Us?
Persistent concerns about student literacy achievement and advances in literacy research, often referred to as the Science of Reading, continue to shape state legislation, teacher licensure requirements, and school district expectations. In response, Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) are redesigning their programs to ensure that teacher candidates graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective, evidence-based literacy instruction.
For more than twenty years, Keys to Literacy has been a leading provider of literacy professional learning for educators at the school, district, state, and higher education levels. This extensive experience positions Keys to Literacy to support EPPs in preparing pre-service teachers to enter the profession with a strong foundation in evidence-based literacy instruction across grade levels.
Partnership in Action: Indiana University
Indiana University provides a strong example of what a comprehensive partnership can look like. Keys to Literacy content is embedded directly into Indiana University’s online, 30-credit-hour masters degree program in the Science of Reading program. Click here to learn more about the IU program.
How We Support EPPs
Collaboration is the foundation of every Higher Education relationship we build. We recognize the critical role EPPs play in preparing future educators, and are committed to serving as a supportive partner. In our work with colleges and universities, we:
- Honor intellectual freedom and its essential role in higher education.
- Respect the institution’s authority and oversight, recognizing our role as an external partner.
- Protect the confidentiality of student data.
Keys to Literacy provides customized, flexible partnership opportunities to support EPPs as they strengthen coursework and graduate and undergraduate programs . Through our professional books, online courses, instructional resources, and faculty support, we can provide:
- Course textbook adoption and implementation support
- Professional learning for higher education faculty on the science of reading and writing
- Curriculum review and enhancement
- Thought-partnership and support for course redesign and new course development
- Integration of science of reading and writing across undergraduate and graduate programs
- Support for professional learning for both pre-service and in-service educators
Two Ways to Partner with Us
Integrate Keys to Literacy into Your Courses
Professors can use our Keys to Beginning Reading online course and text to deepen their own knowledge of the science of reading or integrate these resources into courses for preservice teachers. Accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, the course provides a comprehensive, research-based foundation in the knowledge and instructional practices aligned with the science of reading. The Keys to Beginning Reading text has also been rated exemplary by the National Council on Teacher Quality for use in educator preparation programs. A higher education version of the course, along with a curated collection of resources, has been designed specifically for faculty.
IHEs can also integrate the following Keys to Literacy courses and texts into their programs:
- Keys to Adolescent Literacy, also rated exemplary by NCTQ for adolescent and content literacy courses
- Keys to Literacy Leadership, informed by Pati Montgomery’s NCTQ recommended text, It’s Possible: A leadership plan for implementing quality reading instruction and ensuring literacy for all.
- Keys to Early Writing and Keys to Content Writing for courses focused on writing instruction
- The Key Vocabulary Routine and The Key Comprehension Routine for content literacy courses
Click here to learn more about using our books as supplemental or required texts.
Become a Keys to Literacy Certified Faculty
Higher education faculty can become certified to facilitate select Keys to Literacy courses. Certified Faculty are prepared to embed evidence-based literacy knowledge and instructional practices into their coursework and support students as they progress through Keys to Literacy online course modules embedded within one or more courses.
Certified Faculty have access to a curated collection of instructional resources, ongoing support from Keys to Literacy, and a community of practice with other higher education faculty. They can also help build literacy expertise across their educator preparation programs by supporting the professional learning of other faculty and facilitating community of practice sessions.
The Certified Faculty program is currently available for Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Content Writing, and Keys to Early Writing. Certification for Keys to Adolescent Literacy and The Key Comprehension Routine will be available soon.
Dr. Kelly Ballard
Senior Relationship Manager & Coordinator of Higher Education Relationships
Reach out to Dr. Kelly Ballard at kelly@keystoliteracy.com or 978-432-6353.
Keys to Literacy Higher Education Summit
Attend our annual virtual summit to explore current topics related to higher education teacher preparation. In 2026, more than 120 higher education faculty joined us for our inaugural Higher Education Summit.
This summit is designed for higher education professionals at every level of educator preparation — from faculty who teach literacy courses to deans, program leaders, and state education stakeholders navigating accreditation requirements and policy changes. Whether you are working to strengthen evidence-aligned literacy programming, build partnerships across institutions, or better prepare future educators and instructional leaders, the summit provides opportunities to learn, connect, and share ideas with colleagues.
Keep the conversation going: Higher Education Community of Practice
The Summit doesn’t end when the day does. Throughout the year, our Higher Education Community of Practice provides an ongoing forum for participants to connect with peers, share ideas and resources, address real-world program challenges, and stay current in an evolving field.
Visit the Higher Education Summit page for upcoming dates and registration.
Click here to read a blog post about our August 2026 Higher Education Summit.
Want to learn more?
Have questions about partnering with us, the Summit, or becoming Certified Faculty?
