The Literacy Forward Network – Pennsylvania
Every child deserves the opportunity to become a proficient reader. Currently, only one in three Pennsylvania 4th graders meets reading proficiency. To change this trajectory, Teach Plus will collaborate with district leaders to strengthen teacher leadership, reimagine professional learning, and implement research-based, science of reading-aligned practices that unlock every student’s potential.
What is the Literacy Forward Network
The Literacy Forward Network Pennsylvania (LFN–PA) is an initiative led by Teach Plus to improve K-4 literacy outcomes in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Working side-by-side with district leaders, school teams, and teacher leaders, LFN–PA builds the capacity to deliver structured literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. Through job-embedded professional learning communities (PLCs), individualized coaching, and district-specific implementation plans, we develop teachers to become leaders in their schools.
Our approach combines evidence-based practice with sustainable teacher leadership, so districts can maintain and expand this work well beyond the life of the program.
What does Teach Plus do?
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success.
In pursuing our mission, Teach Plus is guided by our Student Opportunity Mandate: All students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential in an education system defined by its commitment to equity, its responsiveness to individual needs, and its ability to prepare students for postsecondary success.
Teacher Leader supports
LFN–PA invests in teacher leaders as the engine of lasting literacy change.Each selected teacher leader receives job-embedded, multi-layered support so they can confidently lead professional learning communities (PLCs) that will strengthen literacy instruction across classrooms.
Supports include:
- Bi-weekly 1:1 coaching with an Education Leadership Coach to refine facilitation, deepen structured literacy expertise, and set measurable goals.
- Bi-weekly cohort learning sessions where teacher leaders share strategies, analyze student work, and practice PLC facilitation.
- Summer institutes for intensive skill-building, lesson rehearsal, and Science of Reading deep dives.
- PLC launch and planning tools (agendas, protocols, and observation rubrics) customized to each district’s needs.
- Ongoing feedback and data cycles to monitor impact, celebrate growth, and adjust strategies in real time.
Past program testimonials
“Teach Plus has a positive staff. The organization is a great way to empower teachers to be leaders in the classroom and their community.”
“The support and collective expertise of the team help me grow professionally and feel more confident in meeting the diverse needs of my students.”
“I feel as though I am becoming a better classroom leader and colleague through this experience. It’s both challenging and rewarding.”
Pennsylvania is facing a literacy crisis, but we can change the story.
The Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition brings together educators, families, community leaders, and advocates to push for evidence-based literacy policies and funding.
