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The HILL Model: Creating a Literacy Solution for Principals and Superintendents
The HILL helps schools reach literacy excellence . . . and maintain it. We work with schools, school districts, and institutions that are committed to advancing the literacy skills of all children.
Here's why the HILL model is different from other approaches:
The HILL model is not a "quick fix." Quick fixes don't work. Knowledge, focus, and commitment do.The HILL model is not a program. We build on your strengths, and fill in content or knowledge based literacy gaps.
The HIILL model is a collaborative partnership. The process begins when we learn how to teach from the reading closet on up. We work with your data, your students, and your materials. Then we give you customized professional development that fits your needs.
The HILL Model has a record of success. We have improved reading scores in high poverty, multilingual, and multicultural schools and districts. Despite high odds, a strong school leadership helps to bring about literacy change.
Schools with successful HILL partnerships share three characteristics:
1. Long-Term Focus and Funding
Literacy improvement requires a multi-year resource commitment that is both human and financial. A school must commit to a two- to three-year partnership in order to ensure sustainability. Educational leaders face stiff competition for scarce resources. However, schools partner with the HILL for one reason: They want their students to be reading at grade level. Period.
2. Literacy Coaching
Partner schools and districts receive literacy coaching at the classroom level. This coaching - from qualified staff - is the key to sustaining literacy improvement at the school level. The literacy coach is trained and mentored by the HILL, and is the direct link to improving teaching practice in the classroom. The proven HILL "gradual-release" model ensures that scientifically based reading practices are embedded into the practice of the school. This will sustain literacy improvement over time.
3. Leadership Commitment
Research on organizational change clearly states that leadership is an essential factor in sustaining improvements and creating a vital, results oriented culture. HILL partner shools have strong leaders who focus on and aspire to literacy improvement. This leadership is vital to achieving to achieving long-term change. At least 80% of the teaching staff of a school approve of the HILL as a partner.
Research on organizational change clearly states that leadership is an essential factor in sustaining improvements and creating a vital, results oriented culture. HILL partner shools have strong leaders who focus on and aspire to literacy improvement. This leadership is vital to achieving to achieving long-term change. At least 80% of the teaching staff of a school approve of the HILL as a partner.
Sustaining Literacy Improvement During Turbulent Times
Dr. Sandy Jones, the Director of the HILL, edited the fall 2005 issue of the IDA journal, "Perspectives." The issue is devoted to the topic of sustaining change in schools. Dr. Jones brought together some of the nation's thought leaders on school-wide literacy change, Barbara Foorman, Carol Tolman, Sharon Walpole and Edward Moskovitch. Two of the articles authored by Dr. Jones are provided below.Building and Sustaining Teacher Capacity in Literacy - PDF file
Schoolwide Model for Literacy Change - PDF file