Date of Award

Fall 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Committee Chair

Kelsey Greer

Abstract

North Carolina passed legislation that required all elementary literacy teachers to be trained in the Science of Reading (SOR). The North Carolina Public Department of Education (NCDPI) partnered with Lexia Learning to provide training on the SOR to all public-school Pre-K-5 literacy teachers using the professional development (PD) program Language Essential for Teacher of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). This study looked at how teachers in one North Carolina school district perceive the LETRS program to have impacted their efficacy in literacy instruction. This study used a mixed-method design using an explanatory sequential design with two phases. The first stage included a quantitative survey, and the second included personal interviews. This study took place within 6 months of teachers in City District X completing the LETRS program. The data analysis showed that teachers had improved their understanding of the SOR and had increased efficacy in literacy instruction after completing the two-year LETRS PD. A need for additional support and guidance as teachers continue to make changes to their instructional practices was also identified. Teachers in City District x completed the LETRS PD but were only halfway through the change process. Findings and recommendations for continuing the implementation of SOR strategies are shared.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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