Literacy audits and strategic planning
Sterling Literacy Consulting helps schools and districts nationwide understand their literacy systems and decide what to work on next. We review instruction, curriculum, assessments and educator input, then help leaders turn the findings into a practical plan.
The work connects district decisions with classroom practice. Your data, priorities and local context shape the audit and the plan that follows.
What a literacy audit examines
A literacy audit looks at how the parts of your system work together. Sterling Literacy reviews strengths and areas for growth across:
Core literacy instruction and curriculum alignment
Assessments, screening and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)
Classroom instruction, including adolescent and disciplinary literacy
Professional learning for teachers, coaches and leaders
Family and community engagement around literacy
Evidence comes from classroom observations, leadership interviews, educator and stakeholder input, and a review of materials and data. The aim is to give your team a shared picture of current practice and useful priorities for improvement.
From evidence to recommendations
Prepare together. Clarify the goals, gather existing information and hear from district leaders.
Look at practice. Observe classrooms and collect input through focus groups, surveys and conversations.
Analyze the findings. Look for patterns across instruction, materials, assessments and support systems.
Report and discuss. Present findings and actionable recommendations, then work with leaders on next steps.
Build a strategic literacy plan
Sterling Literacy helps district and school leaders turn audit findings into a plan grounded in classroom observations, educator insights and student performance trends. The plan can include:
A shared vision for literacy instruction and measurable goals
Instructional priorities connected to MTSS and professional learning
Actions, responsibilities and an implementation sequence
Resource alignment and stakeholder involvement
Benchmarks and tools for monitoring implementation
Our team can also support literacy leadership teams and provide system-level coaching as the work moves forward. Feedback, observations and student data help teams review progress and adjust their priorities.
Connect the plan with implementation
An audit may point to curriculum needs, professional learning, classroom coaching or leadership support. We help your team connect those decisions rather than treating them as separate projects.
Explore curriculum selection and implementation
Explore professional learning and coaching
Explore CLSD implementation support
Audits for educator preparation programs
Sterling Literacy also works with colleges, universities and teacher preparation programs to review literacy coursework and field experiences. This work examines alignment with the Science of Reading and structured literacy, assessment and intervention preparation, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, and student teaching experiences.
Frequently asked questions about literacy audits and planning
How is a literacy audit different from a curriculum review?
A curriculum review focuses on instructional materials. A literacy audit looks more broadly at instruction, assessments, MTSS, professional learning and other parts of the literacy system. Sterling Literacy offers both.
What does our district receive from an audit?
The audit includes a report with findings and actionable recommendations, followed by discussion and action-planning support. We clarify the scope and priorities with your team at the start.
Can Sterling Literacy help put the plan into practice?
Yes. Support can connect strategic planning with leadership development, curriculum implementation, professional learning and classroom coaching.
Do you work outside Colorado?
Yes. Sterling Literacy Consulting works with schools and districts nationwide.
What should we share when we contact you?
Tell us which grades and schools are involved, what prompted the review and what your team wants to understand. Existing plans, assessment information and curriculum details can help shape the initial conversation.