Bay Shore plans multi-year HMH Into Reading rollout with on-demand Coachly support

Dr. Outlaw presented the district's planned professional development for the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading program, describing six hallmarks of effective PD that the district will use: creating awareness, building understanding, collaboration, implementation, evaluation and extending learning. She said teachers will attend grade-level-specific trainings beginning with third grade, have ongoing access to an online teachers' corner, and be able to participate in live and asynchronous events sponsored through the HMH platform.

Outlaw said the district's agreement includes a three-year contract with on-demand support and that the district will receive six Coachly licenses that provide live, expert assistance to teachers piloting the program. "Coachly is a live person," Outlaw said when asked how Coachly operates, and she added that live events and digital supports are included in the professional development plan.

Board members asked whether leader supports differ from teacher supports; Outlaw said administrators will have access to a separate "leaders' corner" and that the district intends to build local capacity so teachers eventually become internal leaders. Training is scheduled to begin the week of September 15 for initial participants, and the district said it will monitor implementation and adjust ongoing PD to teacher-identified needs.