ADE Summit 2025: Full Schedule

10:20am CDT

Syntax: A Multi-Tool for Reading Comprehension and Writing

Tuesday July 15, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

William van Cleave reminded us that “syntax matters” in reading and writing instruction. What makes syntax a multi-tool? Syntactic knowledge enables students to improve semantics, reading comprehension, and written expression. Syntax should be explicitly taught, focusing on function and connected to content. In this session, participants will learn how to systematically teach syntax to improve reading comprehension and written expression. The focus is the function of words in sentences and not about memorizing parts of speech.

Speakers

Michelle Elia

As an assistant professor at Marietta College, Michelle Elia prepares pre-service teachers to teach reading using evidence-based language and literacy practices. Michelle previously served as Ohio Literacy Lead for the Ohio Department of Education, and she has taught students in preschool... Read More →

Tuesday July 15, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

2:20pm CDT

Leveraging Morphological Awareness for Vocabulary and Comprehension

Tuesday July 15, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

TBA

Morphemes are the building blocks of meaning, tools for decoding, and critical structures for syntax. They are truly mesmerizing units of language that, when taught explicitly, can improve students' reading comprehension and written expression. This session will review why and how we should teach to build morphological awareness. Spoiler alert: It’s not about memorizing morphemes!

Speakers

Michelle Elia

Tuesday July 15, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

3:40pm CDT

Key Levers Tool for Leaders - Comprehension

Tuesday July 15, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

TBA

In this session, participants will explore observation trends in literacy classrooms through the lens of five key instructional levers for leaders: Structures for Learning, Aligned Content, Direct Instruction, Student Practice, and Assessment/Differentiation. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of key "Look Fors" in literacy instruction and strategies for teaching comprehension to support grade level reading.

Speakers

Tieal Hollimon

Senior Effectiveness Coach, TNTP

Sandy Shepard

Tuesday July 15, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

Tag TLC

3:40pm CDT

Understanding the Decoding Threshold for Reading Success

Tuesday July 15, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

TBA

Unlock the science behind early reading success by diving into the concept of the Decoding Threshold. In this session, participants will explore research-based insights into how reaching a critical level of decoding accuracy transforms reading comprehension and fluency outcomes for students. We will highlight Magpie’s collaboration with Little Rock School District (LRSD) and Lighthouse Charter Schools, where intentional focus on achieving the Decoding Threshold led to measurable gains in literacy.

Speakers

Nazo Burgy Salemi

Senior Director, Program, SchoolKit

Jessica Gibbs

Director, Content and Training, Schoolkit

Dr. Amy B. Cooper

Assistant Superintendent, Little Rock School District

Melissa Gude

Little Rock School District

Tuesday July 15, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

10:20am CDT

An Overview of The Writing Revolution: Explicit Writing in Service of Learning in K-12

Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

TBA

There is a Writing Revolution happening in Arkansas! To connect the science of reading to writing, DESE is excited to partner for a fourth year with a team from The Writing Revolution (TWR) to offer a synchronous course called Advancing Thinking Through Writing I for all content teachers in grades K-12. This high-quality professional learning (HQPL) introduces participants to the Hochman method, an explicit set of sequenced strategies for teaching expository writing that can be integrated into any content. In this session, participants will receive an overview of Hochman Method writing strategies along with ways to leverage writing in every grade and content area. Participants will learn about this through-year professional learning opportunity which will be provided by DESE to districts this fall at no charge.

Free copies of the book, The Writing Revolution, will be available while they last.

Speakers

Alex Chalonec

A former teacher, Alexandria is currently Co-Director of Academics at The Writing Revolution. In collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Education, Alexandria led an initiative working with educators to embed the Hochman Method into the state’s ELA curriculum for grades 3... Read More →

Kiersten Peltier

Senior Manager of Revolutionary Projects, The Writing Revolution

Kiersten Peltier, Senior Manager of Revolutionary Projects at The Writing Revolution, delivers courses and supports educators in implementing the Hochman Method into their curriculum. Specifically, she manages revolutionary projects, designed to support teachers in revolutionizing... Read More →

Serena White

Director of State and District Partnerships, The Writing Revolution

Implementation of The Writing Revolution

Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

10:20am CDT

Oral Language is Key to Comprehension (K-2)

Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

TBA

Many children benefit from explicit instruction in the language strands associated with comprehension, including inferencing. Participants will analyze a text and learn some interactive instructional routines and activities that will boost their students’ oral language skills to lead to better reading comprehension.

Speakers

Margie Gillis

Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

2:20pm CDT

Integrating the Writing Revolution Across K–12 Math, Science, and Social Studies

Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

TBA

Discover how The Writing Revolution (TWR) strategies can transform instruction beyond the ELA classroom. This session will showcase real examples of TWR in action across various subjects and grade levels, including high school. Educators and administrators will see firsthand how structured writing techniques can strengthen student thinking, comprehension, and communication in disciplines like science, social studies, and math. Whether you're new to TWR or looking to expand its impact, this session offers a practical glimpse into its versatility and effectiveness—helping you envision how it could benefit schools or districts.

Speakers

Alex Chalonec

Kiersten Peltier

Senior Manager of Revolutionary Projects, The Writing Revolution

Serena White

Director of State and District Partnerships, The Writing Revolution

Implementation of The Writing Revolution

Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

2:20pm CDT

Tying It All Together: The Science of Reading for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

TBA

How can children with limited or no auditory access learn to read a language primarily based on sounds? This session features research-based strategies that are aligned with Science of Reading principles to target the unique learning styles and abilities of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and includes engaging resources you can use with all of your students to support literacy and language development.

Speakers

Stacey Tatera

Deaf Education Specialist, CAYSI Project Director, Arkansas Department of Education

Working together with Arkansas Schools to EDUCATE & CELEBRATE students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, wherever they learn 🤟

Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

3:40pm CDT

Implementing The Writing Revolution: Insights from Arkansas Educators - A Panel Discussion

Wednesday July 16, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

TBA

Join a panel of Arkansas teachers and administrators who are actively implementing The Writing Revolution (TWR) strategies in their schools. Facilitated by TWR experts, this session will provide an honest discussion of the successes, challenges, and lessons learned in integrating structured writing instruction across various grade levels and subjects. Panelists will share practical strategies for effective implementation and guidance on how other districts and schools can adopt TWR practices to enhance student writing outcomes. Whether you're just exploring TWR or looking to refine your approach, this session offers valuable insights and actionable steps to support student success.

Speakers

Sarah Goodwin

ELA & Course Advisor, ADE - DESE

Formerly a high school ELA teacher, I now serve on the Disciplinary Literacy team at the Arkansas Department of Education – Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (ADE-DESE). As the ELA & Course Advisor, I focus on secondary English Language Arts across the state and oversee... Read More →

Wednesday July 16, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

3:40pm CDT

Oral Language is Key to Comprehension (3rd – 5th Grade)

Wednesday July 16, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

TBA

Speakers

Margie Gillis

Wednesday July 16, 2025 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

10:20am CDT

K-2 Screening: Creating Profiles of Dyslexia and Other Reading Difficulties

Thursday July 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

TBA

Early identification is key to effective intervention. In this session, educators will explore how to use K–2 screening data to create detailed learner profiles that highlight potential signs of dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Participants will examine key indicators from universal screeners, learn to interpret patterns in student performance, and discuss how to differentiate between various reading challenges. Practical strategies for documenting observations, collaborating with specialists, and communicating with families will also be shared. This session is ideal for classroom teachers, literacy coaches, and support staff committed to early literacy success.

Speakers

Tim Odegard

Professor of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University

Tim Odegard, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology and holds the Katherine Davis Murfree Chair of Excellence in Dyslexic Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He also leads the efforts of the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. He serves as Editor-in-Chief... Read More →

Thursday July 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

11:40am CDT

Powerful Strategies to Maximize the Impact of Small Group Instruction

Thursday July 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

TBA

Small group instruction is one of the most important times of the literacy block, yet many educators use instructional levels to determine group composition. This session will focus on how to use the foundational reading assessment subskills to effectively differentiate instruction. Participants will understand how to align instruction to the outcomes of their progress monitoring tool, how often they should change instruction, and how to quickly determine what students in kindergarten through fifth grades need during small group instruction.

Speakers

Pati Montgomery

Thursday July 17, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

1:00pm CDT

Tailoring Instruction: Differentiation and Intensification for Early Literacy Support

Thursday July 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

TBA

This session will focus on using K–2 screening data to differentiate instruction for struggling readers. Educators will explore adapting routines and key components—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—based on student profiles. Participants will learn to adjust intensity, pacing, and interventions for diverse needs, with a focus on flexible, responsive routines. Ideal for K–2 teachers, literacy coaches, and support staff, this session provides strategies for enhancing early literacy success.

Speakers

Tim Odegard

Professor of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University

Thursday July 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
TBA

Instruction, Literacy

10:20am CDT

2:20pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

10:20am CDT

10:20am CDT

2:20pm CDT

2:20pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

10:20am CDT

11:40am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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