Several sessions at the ILA 2018 Conference, taking place in Austin, TX, July 20–23, tie to Standards 2017 in terms of its topics or roles. In this three-part blog series, Standards 2017 project cochairs Rita M. Bean, University of Pittsburgh, PA, and Diane E. Kern, University of Rhode Island, identify sessions you don’t want to miss:

Add these Sunday offerings to your schedule*:

• What Does Social Capital Have to Do With Literacy Coaching?: Geared toward literacy coaches (a Standards 2017 role), presenters will describe how coaches, teacher leaders, and principals can collaboratively create a school culture designed to enhance teaching and learning.
• The Three Questions:  Creating a Successful District School Collaborative for Preparing Reading Professionals: Led by Texas State University and Southwest Independent School District professors, this session will focus on balancing graduate school and full-time teaching for effective teacher preparation (a Standards 2017 topic).
• Teach Children, Not Programs: Interventions for Classroom Teachers That Identify Students' Needs and Ideas for Addressing Those Needs: Merging Curriculum and Instruction and Learners and the Literacy Environment (Standards 2017 topics), attendees will experience the interactive read aloud as a teaching tool. They'll understand the importance of differentiating instruction, coaching and conferring, enlarging students' vocabulary, building reading stamina, student discussions, informal writing about reading, and access to books.
• Before, During, and After: An Extreme Makeover for Coach-Led Teacher Professional Development: Designed for literacy coaches (a Standard 2017 role), this workshop will explore the core elements of effective literacy coaching that are critical to implementing effective instructional practices.
• Engaging Parents in Literacy Learning: Presented by leaders of a Title I school in South Carolina, this session will share specific strategies that Literacy Partners (a Standards 2017 role) can use to engage parents and families in schools with large populations of students of poverty or diverse home languages.
• Specialized Literacy Professionals as Digital Literacy Leaders: From Concept to Practice: Digital literacy experts will discuss the latest research on digital technologies in the learning environment (i.e., Learners and the Literate Environment, a Standard 2017 topic), translate those findings into best classroom practice; and explore how literacy leaders can collaborate with teachers to shape instructional practices in digital literacy.
• Tips and Challenges: Implementing Interactive Writing: Through the use of sample lessons and artifacts, this session will address the roles of Foundational Knowledge and Curriculum and Instruction (Standards 2017 topics) in successfully implementing interactive writing experiences in the early childhood classroom.
• Interventions for ELs and Bilingual Learners Struggling with Reading: Focused on Diversity and Equity (a Standards 2017 topic), attendees will learn and apply practical interventions through daily routines to support and advance ELLs and bilingual learners who struggle with decoding, fluency, comprehension, and academic vocabulary.

Don’t miss Bean and Kern’s workshop, ILA/CAEP Reading/Literacy Specialist Program Writers and Reviewers. Alongside researchers, teacher educators, and CAEP representatives, they’ll provide an overview of standards and the key changes; review model assessments, rubrics, and scoring guides; and share the most recent developments from CAEP. Attendees are encouraged to bring sample assessments and questions. Individual 30-minute consultations will be available.

*Please note: Both Institute Day and the ILA/CAEP Workshop require an additional fee and are not included in the cost of registration for Core Conference.

Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017 is available here.
Alina O'Donnell is the communications strategist at ILA and the editor of Literacy Daily.