AIM Institute for Learning & Research Brochure

AIM INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING & RESEARCH LEADING THE WAY IN EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

AT THE AIM INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING AND

we know that literacy is the foundation for success in school and life—and that we as educators can do a far better job of helping our children build this foundation.

RESEARCH,

Our focus is to identify evidence-based best practices in the fields of literacy and language-based learning differences and to put those practices to work.

It’s a mission of vital importance and one that AIM is uniquely positioned to fulfill.

“ The innovative and committed team at the AIM Institute for Learning & Research are proven leaders in linking research to practice and I am sure that through our collaborative we can generate new discoveries that will help improve outcomes for all children.”

D R . K E N N E T H P U G H , P R E S I D E N T, H A S K I N S L A B O R AT O R I E S , A H A S K I N S G L O B A L L 2 ( L A N G U A G E A N D L I T E R A C Y ) I N N O VAT I O N H U B PA R T N E R

“ We are thrilled for the program of activities that AIM Institute for Learning & Research is developing.

They are true champions advocating for the students, families, educators and researchers, bringing research to practice and practice to research!”

D R . F U M I K O H O E F T, U N I V E R S I T Y O F C O N N E C T I C U T

“ Partnering with the AIM Institute for Learning & Research has broadened our teachers’ knowledge base and caused confidence to soar. The deep immersion and ongoing coaching we access has led to more effective and lasting implementation in teacher practice, and that has proven valuable for all our students, whatever their background or learning style.”

E R I C J O N E S , H E A D O F S C H O O L , C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S H I P S C H O O L

Making Literacy a Priority Across Our Communities WE ARE A CATALYST FOR OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY, SHARING IDEAS, PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, RAISING AWARENESS, AND INSPIRING PROGRESS. • New Ideas—The institute brings the expertise of leaders in the field of literacy

and learning differences to an audience of thousands through programs like our annual Research-to-Practice Symposium, our Teachable Moments videos series, and our Access to the Experts Speakers Series, which are available—in-person and online—to educators, parents, and community members.

• A National Movement—The Institute joins forces with state agencies and local

boards of education in initiatives to get our children—all of them—reading on grade level. These efforts include the School District of Philadelphia’s ambitious Read by 4th campaign.

• Making the Case—The Institute team seizes every chance to put literacy on the

public agenda and raise our shared expectations when it comes to the level of success our children can achieve.

www.aimpa.org/institute

|

215–413–aim1 (2461)

Translating Literacy Research into Classroom Practice CONNECT WITH TOP RESEARCHERS AND PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE DEVELOPING POWERFUL NEW LEARNING APPROACHES AND MAKING THEM PART OF TEACHERS’ BEST PRACTICES. • A Unique Model—AIM Institute is a research center founded in partnership

with a laboratory school, AIM Academy, an independent school with a remarkable record of serving students with learning differences. This partnership creates an ideal setting to develop, test, and hone new literacy methodologies. Research shapes classroom practice, and feedback from practice informs research.

• Eminent Partners—The Institute brings together scholars doing some of the

most influential work in the field of literacy today. These include researchers from Haskins Global L2 (Language & Literacy) Innovation Hub at Yale University and the Florida Center for Reading Research, with guidance from the members of our respected Research Advisory Board.

• Accelerating Progress—Traditionally, it has taken a decade or more for cutting-

edge ideas to impact every-day teaching. At AIM, we connect research, practice, and teacher training to accelerate that process, putting the best new approaches to work for students sooner.

PROVEN RESULTS All of AIM’s literacy and professional development programs are built on approaches measured successful in our laboratory school environment.

G A I N S I N T E AC H E R K N OW L E D G E

450% INCREASE in pass rate of teachers on Knowledge and Practice Standards Test, before and after taking the AIM Pathways 5-day Proficient Reading Course

THE FOUNDATI ON FOR STUDENT SUCCESS At the AIM Institute, our work focuses on the skills of literacy, not just because these skills are essential in themselves but also because they are the key to student achievement in other subject areas. We know students need to read, write, and comprehend well to progress in history, science, math, and world languages. We also know that with the right instruction, study in all these fields becomes an opportunity to strengthen literacy.

Delivering World-Class Professional Development On Demand ACCESS PROVEN, PERSONALIZED TRAINING AND COACHING PROGRAMS THAT GO BEYOND TRADITIONAL TRAINING METHODS TO IMPROVE TEACHER KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF EVIDENCEBASED INSTRUCTION IN THE CLASSROOM. • The Gold Standard in Content—From evidence-based training using Scarborough’s

Reading Rope to programs in other research-based methodologies, content in every professional development program the Institute offers aligns with current best practices and is based on the most up-to-date research. Offerings—both on-site and online—constantly evolve to incorporate new findings.

•

I nnovative and Effective—Recognizing the shortcomings in traditional lecture-based professional development curricula, AIM has created a model that allows for ongoing coaching and feedback after training. Educators put the instructional training to work in their classrooms, apply it in practice settings, and can receive feedback and support in AIM’s virtual communities of practice.

•

Powerful Platform—The Institute’s groundbreaking digital delivery platform, A AIM Pathways, allows our team to make a range of in-person learning experiences available online and to take online learning to a new, more interactive level, while providing trained teachers access to “just in time” diagnostic and prescriptive tools to use in schools.

www.aimpa.org/institute

|

215–413–aim1 (2461)

Forming Strategic Partnerships to Transform Schools BENEFIT FROM A THOUGHT PARTNER WORKING

J O I N US !

WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS

The AIM Institute

TO DELIVER EVIDENCE-BASED INSTRUCTION USING

is an organization

THE DIAGNOSTIC AND PRESCRIPTIVE TOOLS OF

on the move, and

THE AIM INTEGRATED LITERACY MODEL.

collaboration is key to everything we achieve. Learn how you can be part of our progress— benefiting from our programs, joining us as a partner institution, or supporting our work through philanthropic investment.

We look forward to hearing from you today!

• A Bigger Vision—One key to moving the needle on student

performance is to go beyond interventions that reach only individual teachers and their students to those that can reshape entire schools. The goal is to be comprehensive and consistent.

Experiences in different classes and grade levels should all reinforce each other, and teaching literacy should be a focus all day in every subject.

• Working Together—AIM Institute consults with a range of

schools seeking to implement best practices, from pilot sites within the School District of Philadelphia to other public schools, charter schools, and independent schools.

• Building Blueprints—AIM helps our partners align their

literacy approaches with those proven effective at AIM Academy and provides the coaching, plans, and tools that educators need for success going forward—a complete blueprint for change.

AIM RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD

AIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Matthew S. Naylor Daniel Berch, Ph.D.

Mitch Codkind

Kate Cain, BSc. DPhil.

Jackie L. Allen

Donald L. Compton, Ph.D.

Patricia M. Roberts

Michelle Duda, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Nancy G. Blair

Steven Graham, Ed.D.

Bryna Berman, Esq.

Nancy Hennessy, M.Ed.

Hon. Carolyn Carluccio

Louisa Moats, Ed.D.

Al Chiaradonna

Tim Odegard, Ph.D.

George W. Connell

Ken Pugh, Ph.D.

Jennifer Crawford

Hollis Scarborough, Ph.D.

Donna De Carolis

Julie Washington, Ph.D.

Darryl J. Ford, Ph.D.

Barbara Wilson, M.Ed.

Alan R. Gedrich, Esq. John W. Glomb Jr. Elliot Holtz Patrick J. Hoyer Brian Lobley Ernest May Stan Silverman Hans Zandhuis

www.aimpa.org/institute 1200 River Road, Conshohocken PA 19428 215–483 –aim 1 (2461)