A Lectio Institute. Photo: Alyssa Haywoode

We’re excited to share news from our former Strategies for Children colleague Kelly Kulsrud.

As we blogged last year, Kelly left Strategies to become a co-founder and executive director of Lectio, an organization that maximizes the impact of literacy programs for children by helping stakeholders design more effective literacy programs. Now, Lectio is planning to celebrate its work and call for more progress.

Since last year, Lectio has been tackling a key problem. As its website explains:

“Despite great promise and tireless efforts, most children’s literacy programs, instruction, and services produce only negligible effects.”

The solution: Lectio runs institutes to help literacy programs assess their impact.

“We guide stakeholders through a comprehensive analysis of their literacy programs and services, focusing on their goals, design, desired outcomes, and resource allocation.”

So far, Lectio’s institutes have had more than 200 participants. To celebrate, Lectio is convening a special meeting: “Moving Forward: A Convening for Literacy Leaders.” The event will bring together Lectio’s alums and its new and emerging partners.

“Now it’s time to gather the dogged and dedicated literacy leaders on the brink of real reform, to share the latest findings, lessons, and strategic thinking—and to discuss solutions in the works,” Lectio’s invitation says.

The event’s sessions will include:

• Deeper Learning in the Workplace: Creating the Conditions for Improved Practice, a keynote presentation by Matthew Miller, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, Harvard Graduate School of Education

• Presentations by Kelly and Lectio co-founder Nonie Lesaux. They’ll revisit some of the widespread assumptions that are obstructing change efforts. They’ll also analyze common pitfalls in districts and community work — and they’ll present feasible solutions to pressing issues

• Moderated panels will feature school district and community partners who are in the midst of transformative change, and

• Facilitated breakout sessions will focus on advancing Lectio’s approach and results — and highlight a newly designed summer/fall support option

The event details:

Location: WGBH in Boston

Time: Friday, June 9, 2017, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Registration fee: $80, which includes morning refreshments and lunch (the fee will be waived for Lectio alumni.)

Please join Lectio for this special event. Click here to register.