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A2i and YWCA Central Carolinas

In October 2021, YWCA Central Carolinas partnered with Read Charlotte and Learning Ovations, a California-based company, to bring Assessment-to-Instruction (A2i) to all eight of our Youth Learning Centers. With A2i, Youth Learning Center Coordinators can have their K-5 students take two 15-minute quizzes to find out their current reading and vocabulary levels, get recommendations about priorities for improving their reading and receive a customized list of literacy activities they can do, both, in the center and at home. Many of these activities have short tutorial videos for families. The quizzes are taken every six weeks and will update recommendations for targeted literacy activities based upon student growth.

youth learning centers, students, A2i
In the course of this research, Dr. Connor and her colleagues pin-pointed specific components concerning effective classroom reading instruction, the first being-better learning can occur when student instruction is tailored to their individual characteristics. Applying this knowledge in practice requires understanding where each student is at, what they need, and what will work best for reaching these outcomes. With the help of the A2i Professional Support System, student needs are identified and individualized lesson planning is made possible through simple and easy to understand assessments and research-driven recommendations.
Southside youth learning center, Amanda Canteen, learning after school, literacy, vocabulary
In the course of this research, Dr. Connor and her colleagues pin-pointed specific components concerning effective classroom reading instruction, the first being-better learning can occur when student instruction is tailored to their individual characteristics. Applying this knowledge in practice requires understanding where each student is at, what they need, and what will work best for reaching these outcomes. With the help of the A2i Professional Support System, student needs are identified and individualized lesson planning is made possible through simple and easy to understand assessments and research-driven recommendations.
The second component of A2i is explicit, systematic phonics instruction. Students learn best when they are taught letter-sound relationships in a logical and clearly defined sequence. This is because reading rarely comes naturally. As rigorous scientific research has concluded, reading, unlike spoken language, can’t be learned through exposure alone. Phonetic instruction works to break literacy down into systems that can be more universally understood by all learners, helping bridge the equity gap and bolster outcomes.
Old Armory, Monroe, Union County, student reading
The final A2i component is the importance of teaching reading in small groups. This builds off of the idea of differentiation. Following the same logic that every student is unique and needs tailored instruction that accounts for this, the best way to then deliver this is often through small group instruction. This isn’t to say that literacy instruction should always be taught in small groups, in fact research suggests that a blend of both is best. The hard part is finding the sweet spot, or at least without the right support.

A2i acknowledges and actively utilizes all three of these critical reading science pieces, transforming research to practice that helps teachers teach. YWCA Central Carolinas is finding success in utilizing the A2i platform. We look forward to our students’ continued reading growth.

Jasmine Mix is the literacy and engagement manager at YWCA Central Carolinas. She has served as a public educator and literacy facilitator for over 14 years.

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