Cornerstone is a national literacy initiative of The New York Institute for Special Education. The goal of Cornerstone is to improve student outcomes by advancing professional development that increases literacy teaching and learning along with shared leadership in order to sustain a model of excellence for student literacy.
Cornerstone’s strategy is to identify school districts with high-poverty populations and with leadership committed to improving literacy outcomes through the use of research-based practices, using elementary school classrooms as clinical sites. Through a district and Cornerstone collaboration, co-constructed professional support is provided for designated school and district leaders as well as literacy leaders in the content areas of: a balanced literacy approach, shared leadership, and coaching of adults. Cornerstone advances a culture of professional learning where district and school value and commit to shared leadership, time is designated for teachers to engage in professional learning and common planning, and a school and classroom environment of rigor and inquiry is promoted.
Methodology designed to improve literacy instruction and develop leadership capacity includes:
- Training for district-literacy coaches in research-based literacy strategies and modeled for school-based coaches.
- Participation in video conferences and district “focus groups” to build conceptual understanding of literacy content and leadership through training, discussion, support and reflection on best practices.
- Working with school leadership teams to develop strategic, school-wide plans based on ongoing analysis of student data and student work.
- Participating in and implementing “lesson study,” a cycle of professional development focused on teachers’ planning, observing and revising lessons.
- Accessing the Cornerstone website and newsletters for professional resources.
- Participating in annual school reviews for reflection and direction.
TO PURSUE A PARTNERSHIP
Research repeatedly shows that underachievement is disproportionately
reflected in districts that are the least affluent. Cornerstone
has therefore committed itself to those districts where the greatest
challenge exists.
Cornerstone focuses its efforts mainly on modest- or middle-sized districts, both urban and rural, reflecting the belief that these districts are often overlooked, despite their struggles with poverty and large populations of at-risk students.
Current Cornerstone districts vary in size from less than 18,000 students to a larger urban center serving more than 32,000. Cornerstone schools can be as small as 200 or as large as 900 students. Qualifying districts serve a high percentage of disadvantaged students (40-90% district-wide, with 70% or more in some schools.)
School district representatives are encouraged to visit Cornerstone’s website and to contact us directly for further information.
Application for Interested School Districts