Frequently asked questions

Is this an evaluation of our teachers or schools?

No.

This work is not evaluative in the personnel sense, nor is it designed to rate or rank classrooms, teachers, or buildings. The focus is on systems, patterns, and structures, not individual performance.

Listening to educators is central to the process, and interviews are conducted to understand how work is experienced—not to audit or judge practice.

How is this different from a program review or audit?

A program review typically asks, “Are we doing this with fidelity?”

A Literacy Systems Snapshot asks, “What is this doing in practice—and what is it interacting with?”

Rather than isolating one initiative or curriculum, the Snapshot examines how instruction, interventions, assessments, and organizational decisions accumulate and interact over time.

How is pricing determined?

Fees are based on scope, timeline, and district context. Most Literacy Systems Snapshots are designed as short-term, fixed-scope engagements and are priced accordingly. Details are discussed during an initial conversation.

Will this result in a recommendation to adopt a new curriculum or program?

Not by default.

The Snapshot may surface issues related to curriculum implementation or coherence, but its purpose is clarity before action. In many cases, districts discover that challenges stem less from what they have adopted and more from how multiple initiatives are layered, adapted, or misaligned.

Any recommendations are grounded in district context and decision capacity.

What kind of data is required?

This work relies primarily on existing data and documentation. No new assessment systems or data collection protocols are introduced.

Typical sources include:

• screening and benchmark summaries,

• intervention rosters and progress data,

• curriculum documents,

• schedules or service models,

• and professional testimony from stakeholders.

The emphasis is on interpretation and sense-making, not data expansion.

Do you conduct classroom observations?

No, classroom observations are not a required component of the Snapshot.

The inquiry is designed to minimize disruption while still yielding insight. Patterns emerge through cross-role listening, document analysis, and attention to transitions and decision-making processes.

How long does the process take?

Most Literacy Systems Snapshots are completed within 4–6 weeks, depending on scope and availability.

The work is intentionally time-bound to support timely decision-making without becoming an ongoing consultancy.

Who typically participates in interviews or listening sessions?

Participation usually includes a cross-section of roles, such as:

• classroom teachers across grade spans,

• interventionists and specialists,

• special education and ESL staff,

• building administrators,

• and central office leaders.

The specific mix is determined collaboratively based on district context and questions.

What does the final deliverable look like?

District leaders receive a concise, written brief designed for leadership teams rather than public reporting.

It includes:

• a synthesis of key patterns and tensions,

• distinctions between symptoms and underlying system issues,

• and prioritized, evidence-informed recommendations.

The document is intended to be discussed, revisited, and used—not archived.

Is this work aligned with accountability or compliance requirements?

The Snapshot can inform accountability conversations, but it is not structured as a compliance tool.

Districts often find that clearer internal alignment strengthens their capacity to respond thoughtfully to external expectations, rather than reactively.

What kinds of districts is this best suited for?

This work is most helpful for districts that:

• are experiencing persistent literacy challenges despite sustained effort,

• want to reduce intervention overload without reducing support,

• are navigating transitions (leadership, curriculum, staffing),

• or are seeking coherence rather than another initiative.

It is best suited for leaders who value disciplined inquiry and thoughtful pacing.

What happens after the Snapshot?

Some districts use the Snapshot as a standalone decision-support tool. Others choose to follow up with targeted planning, facilitation, or additional inquiry.

There is no expectation of ongoing engagement. Any next steps are determined collaboratively and intentionally.