Science of Reading Expertise
Our team includes over 120 instructors and coaches, with 12 certified specialists in the Science of Reading.
The Penn Learning Network is a robust professional development program that has supported over 50,000 PreK–12 educators in the U.S. and abroad over the past 40 years through courses, workshops, coaching, and leadership training.
Drawing from current cognitive science and literacy research, Penn Learning Network (PLN) equips educators with research-based, classroom-ready strategies that enhance literacy instruction across the curriculum.
PLN Professional Learning Model
Our professional learning model offers a dynamic workshop series that integrates the latest Science of Reading research with practical strategies to strengthen literacy instruction across PreK–12 classrooms. Grounded in evidence-based frameworks—including Scarborough’s Reading Rope, the research of Castles, Rastle, and Nation, and Penn Learning Network signature approaches, the “Four Lenses of Learning,” the “Effective Model of Engagement,” and the “Five Reading, Writing, and Talking Processes” (with a focus on Investigating Language)—this model equips educators to deliver systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
With a focus on application within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), participants learn to differentiate instruction, use assessments to drive student growth, and align curriculum with proven literacy practices. Designed to bridge theory and practice, these sessions empower educators to implement high-impact strategies that yield immediate, measurable improvements in student literacy outcomes, ensuring all learners have the opportunity to achieve reading success.
Our Services
- Professional learning aligned to SB 4 and the Science of Reading
- On-site and virtual workshops for PreK–12 educators
- Instructional coaching and modeling during the contractual day
- Tools to support data-driven, differentiated, and equitable literacy instruction
- Train-the-trainer models to build internal district capacity
Science of Reading Workshops
These workshops are designed for teachers, administrators, leaders, interventionists, coaches, specialists, paraprofessionals, and other relevant school staff. Each session equips participants with instructional practices rooted in the Science of Reading and supported by research on evidence-based approaches.
Workshops can be customized to align with your organization’s unique goals and priorities, ensuring a tailored professional learning experience.
Participants build expertise in understanding what the Science of Reading reveals about how one learns to read and how it is reflective of the Science of Learning. A key focus is recognizing and identifying how every grade level and content area embodies the Science of Reading. Learners connect the Penn Literacy Network (PLN) framework, The Four Lenses of Learning, and other PLN concepts to teaching and learning.
This workshop takes a close look at how to prioritize instructional minutes in order to incorporate essential components of the Science of Reading. Special attention is given to the interconnection of teaching grade-level curriculum, checking for understanding, and adjusting teaching as needed. Participants learn and experience the PLN framework, An Effective Model of Engagement, and utilize it to differentiate classroom instruction. In addition, they experience literacy routines for whole group instruction, small group instruction, and independent practice.
This workshop takes the guesswork out of determining what curriculum and lessons should look like when incorporating core principles of the Science of Reading. Participants deepen their understanding of the Science of Learning and how that knowledge translates into their day-to-day teaching. Using the PLN frameworks, The Five Reading, Writing, and Talking Processes, The Four Lenses of Learning, and the Before, During, After lesson structure, they experience the teacher moves and student moves that positively impact learners' literacy skill development.
Skillful readers rely on a variety of word recognition and language comprehension practices for making sense of text. In this workshop, participants learn intervention instructional approaches for students who need additional support. They also learn high-impact teaching strategies that enable advanced learners to move forward in their learning. How to organize and facilitate small group instruction while attending to the needs of independent learners is also a key focus of this workshop. Participants look to The PLN Frameworks, An Effective Model of Engagement, The Five Reading, Writing, and Talking Processes, and The Four Lenses of Learning as a means for structuring and organizing classroom activity.
Ongoing formative and summative assessments provide much-needed information for teachers as they strive to increase student achievement and enable every learner to be a proficient reader. This workshop distinguishes between these two assessment categories, demonstrates several examples, and engages participants in practice. A special focus is on the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Framework and how it is a critical component of the Science of Reading. In addition, the PLN Frameworks, The Four Lenses of Learning, and The Five Reading, Writing, and Talking Processes guide participants in implementing regular assessment practices throughout a lesson.
Word recognition and language comprehension of text involve multiple cognitive processes. This workshop series examines Dr. Hollis Scarborough’s Reading Rope (2001), which makes visible key components in skilled reading. Participants learn and experience high-impact, evidence-based literacy strategies representative of each strand in the Reading Rope. These varied demonstrations of best practices are designed for all grade levels and content areas. The PLN Framework, The Five Reading, Writing, and Talking Processes, provide structure and examples for classroom implementation of the literacy strategies.
What Sets Us Apart
Competency-Based Learning
All professional learning includes pre- and post-assessments, reflective practice, and ongoing support to ensure lasting impact.
Systems-Level Capacity Building
From classroom teachers to district leaders, we help all stakeholders implement coherent, MTSS-aligned literacy instruction.
What Sets Us Apart
Our team includes over 120 instructors and coaches, with 12 certified specialists in the Science of Reading.
All professional learning includes pre- and post-assessments, reflective practice, and ongoing support to ensure lasting impact.
From classroom teachers to district leaders, we help all stakeholders implement coherent, MTSS-aligned literacy instruction.
About Us
For over 40 years, Penn Learning Network has partnered with schools and districts to strengthen literacy instruction through workshops, coaching, and courses rooted in research-based frameworks. Our services are explicitly designed to help Delaware educators implement the six essential components of reading instruction, grounded in Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Penn Learning Network’s Four Lenses of Learning.
Through both credit and non-credit offerings, Penn Learning Network empowers teachers, coaches, school leaders, and paraprofessionals with practical tools to improve student outcomes, ensuring instruction meets the needs of diverse learners and promotes lasting improvements in literacy.
Let's Connect
Interested in bringing Penn Learning Network to your Delaware school or district? Let’s connect about how we can support your goals for literacy growth.