Fostering Literacy: The Howard School Approach Through Science, Structure, and Technology

In today's complex and information-rich world, robust literacy skills are fundamental for navigating life, fostering personal growth, and contributing meaningfully to society. That makes it essential for schools to commit to using the most effective, proven methods for teaching students to read.

At The Howard School, our commitment has always been to use research-backed approaches that effectively serve our diverse student population. Because each learner has unique needs, different grade levels and classrooms may use different instructional strategies. What proves successful for one student may not be equally effective for another. Therefore, equipping our educators with the resources and knowledge to develop and implement a range of these diverse approaches is a cornerstone of the high-quality instruction we provide.

What is the Science of Reading?

You may have heard the term “the science of reading” a lot recently. While it may sound new, the principles behind the science of reading have been part of effective literacy instruction for years. 

Simply put, the science of reading represents a comprehensive body of research, drawing from various disciplines, that illuminates the intricate processes involved in reading. Consequently, the crucial question arises: how do we effectively translate this robust research into our classrooms? 

At The Howard School, we’ve found that the best way to bring this research to students is through a framework called structured literacy. Structured literacy is a research-validated, explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic approach to literacy instruction. It focuses on directly and comprehensively teaching the foundational reading and writing skills necessary for students to not only decode and spell proficiently but also to connect written words to students’ existing knowledge, thereby fostering deep and meaningful comprehension.

How The Howard School Brings Structured Literacy to Life in Atlanta

How, then, has The Howard School continued to leverage the insights of the science of reading and the principles of structured literacy to maximize the impact on our students' reading development? Providing teachers with the tools and expertise to draw upon a variety of structured literacy approaches is a central tenet of our instructional philosophy at The Howard School. 

Training and professional development are a big part of this work. Without those supports, it would be challenging for our educators to create tailored materials and implement diverse strategies that effectively address the varied learning profiles of our students. 

Acknowledging that no single approach universally benefits all learners, The Howard School prioritizes up-to-date, data-driven teacher training while consistently evaluating student progress. Our adopted methodologies encompass approaches ranging from print-to-speech strategies, which is grounded in teaching through spelling patterns. We also utilize speech-to-print methods that focus on the teaching of the sounds made up of different letter combinations. Recognizing that students often present with unique learning deficits, equipping teachers with the knowledge of when and how to adapt their instruction is an indispensable element of effective literacy teaching at The Howard School.

“Providing teachers with the tools and expertise to draw upon a variety of structured literacy approaches is a central tenet of our instructional philosophy at The Howard School.”

Using Assistive Technology to Support Literacy 

Assistive Technology (AT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) create exciting possibilities for literacy instruction. It’s common for people today to focus on how students may be able to use technology to “cheat” in school, but the reality is AT and AI can be hugely beneficial, especially when educators and students are well-trained about their appropriate use.

At The Howard School, AT resources like dictation and text-to-speech already play vital roles in the learning progression of our diverse student profiles. Text-to-speech technology, for instance, allows students to access grade-level content they might otherwise struggle with independently, fostering independent reading, automaticity, and improved self-confidence. Assistant Head of The Howard School for Research and Technology Jennifer Topple emphasizes that AT can bridge the gap between a student's capacity and potential, isolating specific struggles without compromising their strengths.

The field of AI in education is rapidly evolving. To leverage these resources effectively, it's essential to understand that they are intended to support intentional teaching and learning, not replace educators or do the learning for students. The appropriate use of AI, for example, can help teachers personalize learning materials so the content matches each student’s level and interests—a time-consuming and difficult task for educators before AI. 

Ultimately, the thoughtful integration of AT and AI holds the potential to further enhance our ability to provide individualized and impactful literacy instruction, supporting both students and teachers in fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning.
 

Looking Ahead: Innovation in Literacy Education

The journey of literacy instruction at The Howard School is deeply rooted in the evidence-based principles of the science of reading, effectively implemented through the adaptable framework of structured literacy. Recognizing the diverse needs of our learners, we empower our educators with the knowledge and resources to strategically employ a range of these approaches. The thoughtful and ethical integration of emerging technologies like AT and AI offers promising avenues to further personalize learning, bridge individual gaps, and ultimately cultivate a profound and enduring engagement with literacy for every student. 

By remaining grounded in research while embracing innovation, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a future where all students can confidently navigate the complexities of our world through the power of reading and learning.

The Howard School is a private K-12 school in Atlanta serving students with one or more of the following learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, executive functioning challenges and attention deficit disorder.

To learn more about whether The Howard School is a good fit for your child, complete our inquiry form. Our team will reach out to connect with you and schedule a guided tour of campus.