ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

On Wednesday, a group of ARI Beyond Grade 3 peer coaches from the South Alabama region gathered at the University of South Alabama for a day of learning, collaboration, and purposeful planning.

They began by digging into data—analyzing student performance, identifying potential areas for growth within Tier 1 core instruction, and determining where targeted Tier 2 instructional support may be needed to move learning forward.

After lunch, the conversation shifted to the power of partnership. Together, they explored what it looks like to work alongside one another as peers, leveraging collective expertise and shared responsibility to increase student learning outcomes for all students.

This group is student-centered. Data-informed. Outcome-driven.

And they are ready to turn insight into action.

Watch out, Alabama. This group is ready to make a difference. 📚💙

Alabama Department of Education
Melissa Shields

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

🎬 The video crew was on the road again this week!

On Monday, our team had the pleasure of filming at Russellville Elementary School, and while we’re not quite ready to let the cat out of the bag, we can tell you that something special is in the works! 👀

We’re keeping the details under wraps for now because we want this one to be a BIG surprise! But we couldn’t let the week pass without saying a heartfelt thank you to Russellville Elementary School.

Thank you for saying YES to this amazing project, for welcoming our crew, and for allowing us to capture a little bit of the magic that happens inside your sweet school every day. ❤️📚

We can’t wait to share more with you soon! 🎥✨

Alabama Department of Education
Melissa Shields
Russellville Elementary School

09/30/2026

Today, the ARI Beyond Grade 3 team had the pleasure of spending the day with 4th and 5th grade teachers from across Hoover City Schools!

Together, we explored Actionable Assessments, using data to strengthen Tier 1 core instruction and intentionally identify the skills and standards students need during Tier 2 support. We also explored tiered instruction as layers of prevention—seeing student needs, meeting those needs, and working proactively to prevent further difficulties.

After lunch, we dug into The Fluency Factor, exploring what fluency truly means within the Alabama Course of Study and practical ways to strengthen fluency, comprehension, and complex vocabulary in upper elementary and middle school classrooms.

Thank you, Hoover City Schools, for a wonderful day of collaboration. It is truly a pleasure to learn with you and from you.

Thank you for supporting the work of Beyond Grade 3 and for being fired up about advancing adolescent literacy across our great state! 🔥📚

Every child. Every chance. Every day.

Alabama Department of Education
Melissa Shields

09/30/2026

We started the week strong with Franklin County Schools and their 4th–8th grade ELA and history teams!

The afternoon was spent discovering practical strategies for advancing adolescent literacy across content areas—with a focus on explicit vocabulary instruction, content comprehension, and academic discourse.

Thank you, Franklin County Schools, for a wonderful start to our week! We’re grateful for the partnership and the commitment to growing adolescent literacy across Alabama.

Alabama Department of Education
Melissa Shields

09/30/2026