Literacy Services

Online Language & Literacy Academy – Minnesota

Say Hello To OL&LA!

Professional Learning In Structured Literacy Tailored For Language-Diverse Classrooms

 

Contact Us

Inclusive Teaching.
Diverse Learning.

Professional learning tailored to Minnesota’s educational priorities

CORE Learning’s Online Language & Literacy Academy (OL&LA) is approved by the Minnesota Department of Education as an authorized professional development program in compliance with the Minnesota READ Act. Beginning July 1, 2024, Minnesota districts and charter schools are required to provide evidence-based reading instruction training to teachers and instructional support staff responsible for teaching reading. 

OL&LA is an asynchronous online course that gives Minnesota’s educators the tools they need to unlock the full potential of every student. OL&LA personalizes professional learning for literacy by integrating evidence-based reading instruction, second-language acquisition research, and CORE’s nationally acclaimed Teaching Reading Sourcebook. This Structured Literacy course is specifically tailored for educators in language-diverse classrooms that include Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.

Designed for K–6 educators, K–12 special education teachers, and reading specialists
OL&LA empowers Minnesota educators with the knowledge and skills to:
  • Deliver standards-aligned and evidence-based reading instruction for all students, including Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.
  • Articulate the research on reading instruction and link research to practice.
  • Understand how to use informal diagnostic measures of phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as a basis for instructional decisions.
How OL&LA does it:
  • Comprehensive research-driven content: Following a meticulously crafted scope and sequence that distills evidence-based research in second-language acquisition and literacy development paired with reading assignments from CORE’s acclaimed Teaching Reading Sourcebook, educators improve their knowledge and skills so that every student is honored throughout their learning journey.
  • Enhanced professional learning with AI: AI-driven classroom simulations empower educators to enhance their teaching methods and seamlessly integrate evidence-based practices into their lessons, fostering rapid and effective professional growth.
  • Transformation of classroom practice: Instructional practices tailored for linguistically diverse settings are more than just classroom aids; they’re the building blocks of teacher success.

OL&LA MODULES

Each module is rooted in principles of Structured Literacy, focusing on the practical application of evidence-based reading and second-language acquisition research in language-diverse classrooms.

Module 1: Welcome

Module 2: Big Picture: Spoken Language, Reading, and Word Structure

Module 3: Effective Instruction: Language and Early Literacy

Module 4: Phonics, Decoding, and Irregular Words

Module 5: Multisyllabic Words, Spelling, and Fluency

Module 6: Vocabulary: Spoken and Written Language

Module 7: Syntax: The Structure of Language and Writing

Module 8: Comprehension: Language and Reading

Module 9: Assessing Reading

This course is for individuals or teams of educators who want to learn effective standards-aligned and scientifically research-based reading practices for all learners. Participants will need regular access to computers with an internet connection and proficiency with email and current internet browsers.

  • K–6 teachers
  • Special education teachers (K–12)
  • Reading specialists (K–12)
  • Paraprofessionals
  • Preservice teachers or classes

At the end of the course, Minnesota participants will be able to:

  • Identify the five essential components of evidence-based reading instruction.
  • Identify the best practices and explicit methods to develop phonemic awareness, phonics and irregular and multisyllabic word knowledge, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and literary and informational text knowledge.
  • Understand the factors that contribute to and affect reading comprehension, including the influence of oral language development.
  • Identify and use techniques to support oral and academic language development for linguistically diverse students, including Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.
  • Explore the structure of English and other language systems, including Spanish.
  • Understand the definition of dyslexia, common warning signs by grade level, and evidence-based instructional practices and accommodations to meet the educational needs of students with dyslexia.
  • Learn how to use informal diagnostic measures of phonological awareness, decoding, fluency vocabulary, and comprehension as a basis for instructional decisions.

OL&LA is available in several format options to meet your preferred learning style and schedule, including:

  • Fully asynchronous, self-paced
  • Asynchronous cohort with three CORE facilitator-led virtual live sessions
  • Asynchronous cohort led by in-district facilitators who have completed the OL&LA Cohort Leader (OCL) Certification course.

Please contact us for pricing.

Participants may receive three (3) semester graduate-level continuing education units through the Dominican University of California Continuing Education Department for an additional cost of $327. These units are typically used for salary advancement. There are no additional requirements beyond successful completion of the course. Participants may register and pay for these units once the course has started.

Upon completing the Online Language and Literacy Academy, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is a requirement in the state of Minnesota.

Get in touch

Our team is here to answer your questions about OL&LA.

Contact Us