Science of Teaching Reading (STR)

Welcome to the ESC Region 11 Science of Reading Implementation hub. We are committed to empowering teachers as they implement the Science of Teaching Reading in their classrooms.

We offer an array of services to provide comprehensive support to local education agencies in Region 11. These supports include collaborative walk throughs, professional learning sessions, and job-embedded coaching opportunities designed to enhance instructional practices and improve student literacy outcomes.

Join us in fostering a rich learning environment where every student can thrive in their reading journey!

Professional Learning Opportunities

ESC Region 11 offers professional learning and coaching to support effective Science of Teaching Reading (STR) implementation. Sessions can be customized for district or campus needs and are available at no cost to most districts for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.

District and campus leaders may request on-site professional learning or coaching tailored to their staff. To get started, submit a request through the STR Support Form.

Featured Professional Development

• STR Leadership Cohort – A professional learning cohort designed to equip educational leaders with the latest research-based strategies in reading instruction. 

2025-26 STR Leadership Cohort      2026-27 STR Leadership Cohort 

Professional Learning Sessions Available by Request

• The Power of Explicit Instruction – Campus Leaders
  Explore how explicit instruction drives stronger literacy outcomes and how campus leaders can intentionally support, observe, and coach teachers to implement evidence-based literacy practices that accelerate student learning.
   
• The Power of Explicit Instruction – Teachers
  Strengthen literacy instruction by learning how to apply explicit, evidence-based teaching practices, clear modeling, guided practice, and purposeful checks for understanding, to increase student success in reading and writing
   
• Foundational Skills: The Science Behind Early Reading Success
  Discover how the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading inform powerful classroom practices for systematically teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and word recognition to build strong foundations for early reading success.
   
• Active Student Engagement Strategies
  Acquire practical strategies to increase student participation, thinking, and accountability during lessons, maximizing learning for all students.
   
• Perfect Your Pacing
  Learn how effective lesson pacing keeps students actively engaged, allows time for modeling and practice, and ensures all students have opportunities to respond and learn.
   
• Brain Power: Understanding the Reading Brain
  Explore how the brain learns to read and what this research means for designing instruction that supports decoding, language comprehension, and skilled reading development.
   
• Elevate Literacy STR Summer Learning Series: High Impact Instructional Moves
  Strengthen literacy outcomes through this customizable summer learning series where educators explore and apply evidence-based practices grounded in the Science of Teaching Reading.
   

Request a Session