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Teacher and Leader Development

Teacher and Leader Development

New York State The Path Forward Initiative

In Fall 2023, New York State was chosen to participate in the third cohort of the Hunt Institute’s The Path Forward initiative. The goal of the initiative is to improve literacy instruction in schools by supporting and integrating the science of reading into teacher preparation program and certification requirements.  

In collaboration with the New York State Education Department and the Hunt Institute, Literacy Academy Collective regularly convenes and facilitates the work of the NYS Path Forward team. The team is comprised of education leaders and diverse stakeholders and met regularly during the 2023-2024 school year to develop an Action Plan.

The New York State Action Plan: The Path Forward was released in October 2024 and includes initiatives in six areas. The Action Plan focuses on teacher preparation programs in five areas: early childhood education (birth-grade 2), childhood education (grades 1-6), English to speakers of other languages, literacy, and students with disabilities. 

The New York State Education Department will be completing the activities in the first two areas of the Action Plan. Information about the Action Plan and the NYS Path Forward Team is provided below.

 

New York State Action Plan
Presentations
NYS Path Forward Team
Framework for Integrating the Science of Reading in Educator Preparation Programs and Baseline Reflection

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is pleased to share the Framework for Integrating the Science of Reading (SoR) in Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) (“framework”) along with the accompanying Baseline Reflection ("reflection"). These resources are part of NYSED’s broader literacy initiative, building on the New York State (NYS) Path Forward Initiative and serving as a key element of the NYS Path Forward Action Plan to strengthen literacy instruction in K-12 schools statewide.

Developed by NYSED’s Office of Teacher and Leader Development, the framework supports EPPs in embedding evidence-based literacy instruction into coursework and clinical experiences. The framework was shaped by extensive input from the Path Forward Steering Committee and Workgroups, comprising diverse stakeholders committed to strengthening literacy instruction in EPPs. While reflecting significant stakeholder alignment, this document outlines NYSED's expectations rather than unanimous consensus.

The reflection is designed to gather information about how EPPs currently integrate evidence-based practices for teaching literacy that are grounded in SoR into their programs. It focuses on selected, high-priority areas from the framework. The responses to the reflection will inform NYSED’s future policy development and technical assistance efforts. 

NYS Path Forward Community of Practice

Are you working to bring more evidence-based literacy practices into your educator preparation program? Join colleagues across New York State in a monthly Community of Practice (CoP), hosted by the Path Forward Initiative, dedicated to advancing the Science of Reading (SoR) in educator preparation. This is an ongoing CoP on the SoR components as laid out in the NYSED Framework & Baseline Reflection.

Join us for our Kick-Off Event!

  • Engage with leading researchers, authors, and practitioners to learn key elements in bringing research to practice.
  • ​Hear spotlight presentations from NY State EPP faculty on how they are embedding evidence-based practice into their programs.
  • Share stories of transformation and concrete strategies for strengthening educator preparation.

This is a supportive, collaborative environment. No pre-work required!

Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Time: 2:30 - 3:45 pm
Sign up here. 

*Please note- This will continue to take place on the first Friday of each month. It is “come as you can. There is no commitment to join every session!
See the attached flier and please spread the word to colleagues and friends. Open to all!