Supporting Pre-Service and In-Service Educators
The Georgia Southern University Literacy Center is dedicated to strengthening evidence-based literacy instruction across Georgia. Through collaborative partnerships, professional learning and data-informed evaluation, the center supports educators at every stage, from pre-service teacher preparation to in-service coaching and classroom implementation.
Our Mission
To establish a collaborative infrastructure for supporting evidence-based literacy instruction across Georgia.
Expected Outcomes
Through its strategic initiatives, the Literacy Center aims to support lasting improvements in literacy instruction across Georgia.
- All school-based literacy coaches will possess the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to support and coach K-3 educators in the Science of Reading.
- Demonstration schools and districts will provide replicable models for transformative professional development, leading to excellence in literacy instruction.
- Teacher preparation programs will coordinate efforts to improve pre-service literacy training and better prepare future educators for classroom success.
Strategic Initiatives
The Literacy Center’s strategic initiatives are designed to strengthen literacy instruction from preparation to practice. Through university partnerships, demonstration sites, professional learning and evaluation, the center supports educators with the training, tools and data needed to improve literacy outcomes across Georgia.
Pre-Service Teacher Preparation & Demonstration Sites
The Literacy Center partners with pre-service teacher education programs at Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Valdosta State University and the University of West Georgia to better prepare future educators.
This initiative strengthens alignment between university curricula and district needs, helping prepare classroom-ready teachers with a strong foundation in evidence-based literacy instruction.
The center will also support up to eight demonstration sites in rural and urban communities across South Georgia, West Georgia and metro Atlanta, creating replicable models for effective instruction and professional development.
Professional Learning for Literacy Coaches
The Literacy Center collaborates with regional literacy specialists to deliver accessible, community-embedded professional development for literacy coaches.
Training is continuous and tailored to specific gaps identified through coaching competency assessments and classroom student data. Coaches strengthen their skills through direct analysis of real classroom lessons and receive feedback targeted toward student needs.
This approach deepens coaches’ diagnostic skills and expertise, improving the quality of teacher instruction in schools across Georgia.
Evaluation of Educator Capabilities
The Literacy Center measures the knowledge, skills and instructional capabilities of teachers and coaches before and after training.
Assessment criteria are connected directly to the Science of Reading and Georgia’s Coaching Competencies, providing meaningful data on educator growth and instructional improvement.
These evaluation measures help demonstrate how state investments in literacy coaching are leading to measurable improvements in educator competency and student outcomes.
More Information Coming Soon
The Georgia Southern University Literacy Center website is currently under development. Additional information, resources and partnership details will be available soon.