The Literacy Advisory Council is a voluntary group of educational stakeholders from across Ohio who meet quarterly to (1) review the professional learning products, tools, and materials we develop and (2) provide guidance into the direction of the work for the future. The Literacy Advisory Council is made up of individuals with varying roles (e.g., local and regional educational providers, administrators, family members, researchers, teacher educators, community members, state leaders, national experts) who share their diverse perspectives to assist the ALL Ohio team in building high-quality and useable professional learning opportunities for Ohio’s educators.
Literacy Advisory Council Meetings
The Literacy Advisory Council serves as an advisory function to ensure the relevance, quality, and usefulness of the outputs we create and the outcomes we achieve when educators use our resources. The meetings include information sharing by the project teams, external consultants, and leaders from the Ohio Department of Education. The meetings also focus on product review and discussion by the Literacy Advisory Council’s members. These meetings provide a time and space for stakeholder voices to be heard and used to improve the professional learning opportunities provided to Ohio’s educators.
In preparation
The SDI Center team shared an overview of the literacy modules developed in the 2021-22 project year and the proposed direction of the modules for the 2022-23 year and into the future. Members provided input into the future directions and shared their viewpoints on which module topics should be a priority based on the needs in Ohio. The team also shared information about the first family literacy event in partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools and sought feedback from LAC members about how to meet the needs of families better. Finally, a panel of individuals who participated in one of the SDI Center’s literacy professional learning opportunities for the year shared their perspectives, and LAC members provided feedback on opportunities to achieve higher levels of quality in virtual professional learning opportunities.
During the March 2022 LAC meeting, the project team provided an overview of the EBPs4ELs project, demonstrated the use of the Decision Rules Flowchart (DRF) application, and shared a module facilitator guide for feedback. LAC members provided input into the content and design of the DRF and module facilitator guide to improve the tools before use.
The All Ohio project team provided an update on the Enhancing Evidence-Based Practices for English Learner Students (EBPs4ELs) project, the Collaboration Application (CoApp), and the Ohio Literacy Library’s Word Recognition: The Why of Phonics and the Explicit Vocabulary Instruction comprehensive learning modules. Literacy Advisory Council members engaged in small-group conversations to provide input into these products.
12.15_LAC_Meeting_Agenda_Revised_Final
Literacy Advisory Council December 2021 PPT Presentation Final – No Video
Breakout 1 Focus Group Instructions and Assignments
Breakout 1A LAC Vocabulary Module Vetting Rubric
Breakout 1B LAC Word Recognition Part 1 Module Vetting Rubric
Breakout 1 Module Discussion Notetaking Form
The All Ohio project team provided a model demonstration of the Decision Rules Flowchart application and the Ohio Literacy Library’s Simple View of Reading comprehensive learning module. Literacy Advisory Council members engaged in small-group conversations to provide input into these products.
Link to the September 2021 Literacy Advisory Council meeting recording
LAC September 2021 Meeting Summary_FINAL
LAC_Meeting_Agenda_9-22-21_Final
DRF Application Example Screenshots and Report
During the June 2021 Literacy Advisory Council meeting, members engaged in a discussion about need, innovation, and resources to support adolescent literacy. Each member participated in a focus group to discuss a product they reviewed prior to the meeting. The Information Technology Solution Center also shared with the Literacy Advisory Council the status of the Collaboration Application (CoApp). Members broke into small groups to discuss the aspects of the application that they liked and ones that could be adapted to improve its quality, relevance, or usefulness to Ohio’s educators.
Link to the June 2021 Literacy Advisory Council meeting recording
LAC June 30 2021 Meeting Summary Final
June 2021 LAC Presentation Final Draft
6.30.21 LAC Agenda Revised Final
During the April 2021 Literacy Advisory Council meeting, we provided members with an overview of their role as members, the purpose of the OH V-LIFTS and AC-SEL projects and how they relate with and support Ohio’s efforts to improve literacy achievement, and obtained input into factors that can foster and impede uptake of the professional learning opportunities.
Link to the April 2021 Literacy Advisory Council meeting recording.
LAC April 2021 Meeting Notes_FINAL
Literacy Advisory Council Members
The Literacy Advisory Council has members who fill multiple roles across Ohio’s local educational agencies. Teachers, staff, and administrators play a critical role in vetting the professional learning resources to ensure they are relevant to and useful for educators. Each partner district is invited to provide representation on the Literacy Advisory Council to ensure the professional learning opportunities are high-quality and contextually relevant to their schools and communities.
- Sarah Bonner, Curriculum Coordinator, Painesville City Local Schools
- Aaron Bouie III, Executive Director of Pre-K-5 Curriculum, Youngstown City Schools
- Wendy Camper, Director of Teaching & Learning, Painesville City Local Schools
- Gina Chiaro, Literacy Coach K-5, Poland Local Schools
- Robyn Coleman, Culturally Responsive Practices School Psychologist, Cincinnati Public Schools
- Bryan Drost, Executive Director of Educational Services, Rocky River City Schools
- Ruth Haines, Director of English Learner Programming, Painesville City Local Schools
- Carly Magnotta, Kindergarten Teacher, North Elementary School, East Liverpool City Schools
- Brittney Marino, Title One Reading, North Elementary School, East Liverpool City Schools
- Chris Saiben, Principal, Grant Middle School, Marion City Schools
- Stella Villalba, Elementary ELL Teacher Leader, Dublin City School
- Kelly Weeks, Principal, Youngstown Volney Rogers Elementary, Youngstown City Schools
Regional educational agencies play a critical role in Ohio’s statewide system of support. Representatives from Ohio’s State Support Teams (SSTs) and Educational Service Centers (ESCs) advise on the professional learning resources and explore how the resources can support the professional development they provide to local educational agencies.
- Jennifer Griffing, Regional Early Literacy Specialist, Family Engagement & Continuous Improvement, SST Region 9
- Debbie Hartwig, SPDG Literacy Lead, SST Region 9
- Michele Moore, Director, SST Region 5
- Beth Rice, Regional Early Literacy Specialist (RELS), SST Region 15
- Marie Ward, Superintendent, Fairfield County ESC
- Dana Weber, English Learner & World Language Consultant, Stark County ESC
The Ohio Department of Education is a key partner in the ALL Ohio efforts. Leaders from the Ohio Department of Education present and participate in all Literacy Advisory Council meetings. Representation spans the Office for Exceptional Children, Office of Approaches to Professional Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Integrated Student Supports.
- Jo Hannah Ward, Director, Office for Exceptional Children
- Karen Jeffries, Literacy Specialist, Office for Exceptional Children
- Melissa Weber-Mayrer, Director, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Melissa Babcock, Interim Assistant Director of Literacy, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Sherine Tambyraja, Dyslexia Administrator, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Carolyn Turner, Ohio Literacy Lead, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Michelle Elia, Ohio Literacy Lead, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Roger Howard, Adolescent Literacy Specialist, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Jennifer Walker, Adolescent Literacy Specialist, Office of Approaches to Teaching and Professional Learning
- Valerie Kunze, Assistant Director of Vulnerable Youth Programs, Office of Whole Child Support
- Donna Villareal, Education Program Specialist, Lau Resource Center for English Learners, Office of Whole Child Support
- Jason Scragg, Military & English Learner Education Consultant, Office of Whole Child Support
- Latisha Humphries, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Whole Child Support
- Jennifer Ruff, School Climate Transformation Specialist, Office of Whole Child Support
Parents play an integral role in the advisory council to provide input based on the experiences of their family. We are grateful for their insights.
- Quinn Montgomery
- Mary Heather Munger
- Sam Shim
- Jennifer Stephens
Ohio’s educational associations are active stakeholders on the Literacy Advisory Council. Associations are invited to provide one or more individuals to serve on the Literacy Advisory Council on behalf of the association.
- Jillian Ahrens, Vice President, K-8, Cleveland Teachers Union, Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT)
- Daria DeNoia, Education Policy and Practice Consultant, Ohio Education Association (OEA)
- Jim Gay, Co-director, Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC)
- Lisa Hickman, Executive Director, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
- Becky Hornberger, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Elementary School Educators (OAESA)
- Holly Maczka, English Teacher, Scott High School, Toledo Public Schools, (OFT)
- Karel Oxley, Co-director, Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC)
- Tom Perkins, Superintendent, Northern Local School District, Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA)
- Jose Salinas, Director, Ohio Migrant Education Center
- Mark Seals, Ohio Deans Compact
- Sheila Smith, Senior Director – Research, Quality Assurance, and Program Impact, Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI)
- Jason Tackett, Principal, Williamsburg Middle & High School, Williamsburg Local Schools; Board of Directors, Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA)
Researchers, faculty, and staff from Ohio’s educator preparation programs participate on the Literacy Advisory Council to lend their expertise into the development of the professional learning resources. They provide insight into the relevance and usefulness of the tools to candidates in educator preparation programs, and help make connections with other educational stakeholders across Ohio’s institutions of higher education.
- Jennifer Bambrick, Assistant Professor, Division of Education, Walsh University
- Barbara Boone, Program Director of Family & Community Partnerships, Ohio State University
- Terri Purcell, Associate Professor, Literacy Education, Cleveland State University
- Laura Saylor, Dean, Mount Saint Joseph University
Each project has one or more external consultants who work with the project team to enhance the quality of the products during development and iterations of revision.
- Jose Blackorby, Senior Director of Research and Development, CAST
- Mary Dahlgren, President, Tools 4 Reading, LLC
- Claude Goldenberg, Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education, Emeritus, Graduate School of Education, Stanford Univeristy
- Anne Larson, Research Associate, Center for Early Learning and Development, University of Minnesota
- Kristi Liu, Assistant Director, National Center on Educational Outcomes, University of Minnesota
- Rachel Quenemoen, Senior Research Associate, Retired, University of Minnesota
- Chris Rauscher, Region 8 Comprehensive Center
- Sabrina Sembiante, Associate Professor & Doctoral Coordinator, TESOL and Bilingual Education, College of Education, Florida Atlantic University
- Sharon Vaughn, Professor & Executive Director, The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, University of Texas at Austin
- Carla Wood, Professor & Doctoral Program Coordinator, School of Communication Disorders, Florida State University
- Kristien Zenkov, Professor of Education & Academic Program Coordinator, Secondary Education Program, George Mason University
Multiple individuals from WordFarmers Associates participate as valuable members of the project evaluation team. The evaluation team provides ongoing formative feedback to the project team to assist in improving the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the activities, outputs, and outcomes. The members of the evaluation team who are actively involved in the Literacy Advisory Council include the following:
- Aimee Howley, President, WordFarmers Associates
- Marged Dudek, Evaluator, WordFarmers Associates
- Stanley Dudek, Technical Consultant, WordFarmers Associates
- Julia Flint, Research Associate, WordFarmers Associates
The All Ohio project team is an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and contractors from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology.
- Jennifer Ottley, Research Director, Systems Development & Improvement (SDI) Center
- Deb Telfer, Director, SDI Center
- David Brobeck, Research Associate, SDI Center
- Jesse Conway, Education Consultant, SDI Center
- Sam Giammarco, Research Associate, SDI Center
- Jihye Shin, Research Associate, SDI Center
- Sarah Smith, Research Associate, SDI Center
- Sloan Storie, Research Associate, SDI Center
- Yahya Gilany, Research Associate, Information Technology Solutions Center
- Mindy Schweitzer Smith, Deputy Director, UC Corrections Institute
- J.C. Barnes, Professor and Director, School of Criminal Justice
- Andy Wahlenmaier, Web Designer, PPA Agency
