Harlem Community District 5
One year into the New York City Reads initiative, there is a rare bright spot. Harlem Community School District 5 is seeing its highest literacy rates in decades after science of reading support from Leading Educators.
As 40 states and the District of Columbia work to enact laws or new policies connected to evidence-based literacy, the home of the Harlem Renaissance offers a shining example of what is possible.
About the Partnership
As part of the groundbreaking NYC Reads effort, Harlem Community School District 5 is partnering with Leading Educators to bolster teacher and leader knowledge of how students acquire literacy and ensure an effective rollout of HMH’s Into Reading curriculum in grades K-5.
Challenge
As of 2023, fewer than 40% of students in Harlem Community School District 5 were proficient in reading, and a growing number of students are multilingual learners. Closing the opportunity gap will require addressing several technical and adaptive challenges:
- Teachers have varying levels of experience with the curriculum and varying levels of content expertise
- Some schools have been using high-quality instructional materials for as long as five years, while others are just starting out.
- Previous training from the curriculum provider was primarily online and offered only a cursory overview of complex, knowledge-rich materials.
Teachers and school leaders are eager for more comprehensive and personalized professional learning experiences to bring the new curriculum to life effectively.
Dr. Sean L. Davenport, the superintendent of Harlem Community District 5, knows that literacy is just one part of a larger vision. He says:
We want to make sure [our students] can communicate, advocate for themselves, and fight to be seen and heard within the greater society. We want them to be viable citizens and civically engaged. We want them to be the best versions of themselves, and that comes with holistic education.”
Solution
Leading Educators is designing ongoing professional learning for teachers and providing side-by-side coaching support to bolster teachers’ confidence, content knowledge, and instructional practice. So far, teachers have been excited about the tailored support LE is bringing, a welcome shift from traditional one-size-fits-all professional development settings.
Year 1 Implementation Theory of Action
Early successes
- By the end of the 2023-24 school year, 38% of the district’s students scored at or above grade-level expectations for reading on iReady, a significant improvement from just 14% at the start of the school year.
- All grades saw proficiency at least double, and four schools increased iReady scores by over 30 percentage points from BOY to EOY.
- Kindergarten showed the largest change in students scoring at or above grade level with a 43 percentage point increase on iReady, followed by 1st grade at 33 percentage points.
Leveraging Leading Educators’ national experience in designing high-impact curriculum-based professional learning systems, the partners defined a multi-year theory of action to guide the work over two years.
Implementation dips often occur in the second year of a new curriculum as teachers formulate opinions about its perceived effectiveness, so the partners hoped to positively influence those opinions and increase teachers’ confidence early on.
Leading Educators is collaborating closely with District 5 to establish a rubric for understanding school-level curriculum implementation progress. We’re also developing a learning pathway for district leaders, principals, and teachers.
We’re designing and delivering a monthly professional development series that aims to provide turnkey support for schools, enhance teaching practices, offer personalized development for principals and assistant principals, and lead ELA meetings focused on instructional practices.
Harlem Community Schools are receiving ongoing literacy coaching and side-by-side coaching support. This includes regular coaching sessions, feedback during the professional learning series, and support for co-planning and co-teaching. This approach directly enhances ELA instruction by providing real-time guidance and support for educators in the classroom.
Partnership By The Numbers
4,234 Students
gaining access to science-based and relevant literacy instruction
528 Teachers
supported to strengthen their practice with ongoing professional learning and side-by-side coaching
16 Schools
receiving turnkey professional development for sustainable improvement
Learn About Other Literacy Partnerships
NYC is one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
Meet The Team
Stacy Stewart
Alexandra Benjamin
Sydney Jenkins
Michael Little
Kemi Weston
About Stacy Stewart
Before her role at Leading Educators, Stacy Stewart's education journey encompassed 31 years at Chicago Public Schools, where she held the position of Deputy Chief of Schools for Network 13, overseeing 32 elementary schools and receiving acclaim as a Golden Apple Award-winning principal at Belmont-Cragin Elementary on Chicago’s Northwest side. She further contributes to education as a member of the Cahn Fellows program, where she serves as an alumni advisor, and she is also a member of the board of the Chicago Cahn Fellows and the Illinois ASCD.
About Alexandra Benjamin
Before joining Leading Educators, Alexandra served as a school principal in New York City.
Alexandra holds a BA from Iona University in English Literature, MA from The College of Notre Dame in School Leadership, and MS from Fordham University in Literacy 5-12. Alexandra lives in New York City and enjoys spending time reading, exercising, and traveling.
mindsets needed to realize their best selves.”
About Sydney Jenkins
Before joining Leading Educators, Sydney worked with the Philips Brooks House Association, a university student- led nonprofit organization that provides academic support and recreational experiencers to underserved communities in Boston. After moving to New York, Sydney spent her professional time teaching ELA, developing curriculum, mentoring teachers, and fostering community throughout schools in Brooklyn.
Sydney holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. During her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her baby nephew, cooking, and discovering new music.
About Michael Little
Before joining Leading Educators, Michael began his career in education in Charlotte, North Carolina as a Teach for America corps member committed to providing an impactful, just, and joyful academic experience as a middle school history teacher. After years of service in Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael relocated to New York City, where he continued to make a difference in the lives of students in the Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, and Bushwick communities of Brooklyn, New York, as an ELA teacher and school leader- igniting his student’s personal passion and love of literacy. Michael has made a mark as a servant leader in the public school and public charter school sector, having served in various roles such as an Instructional Coach and mentor, Dean of Students, Academic Dean of Instruction, and Principal Fellow.
Michael holds a BA degree in Sociology from his beloved Alma Maters, Hampton University, and an M. Ed in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University. In his personal time, Michael enjoys traveling, music, working on voiceover projects, brunch, and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Little in the news
About Kemi Weston
Before joining Leading Educators, Kemi served as an administrative professional in postsecondary institutions for over 8 years, managing programs, advising students, and collaborating with cross-functional departments to examine metrics and develop plans for accomplishing institutional initiatives. She is enthusiastic about leveraging her experience and skills to create a meaningful impact in primary and secondary education.
Kemi holds an MA in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. In her free time she cohosts a podcast entitled “Your Advisors Will See You Now” which serves as a resource to aid families and students in career and college readiness.
