AIM Pathways for Mississippi

AIM Pathways coursework is designed for educators who are committed to learning about the connection between reading research, theoretical models such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and best practices for language and literacy instruction in the classroom. Participating educators and administrators will learn about the Science of Reading focusing on developing a literacy plan, curriculum selection, and assessment tools.

Mississippi Literacy Mission

The Mississippi Department of Education Office of Elementary Education and Reading is responsible for supporting and training K-3rd grade teachers, curriculum specialists, and other educators by providing research-based instructional strategies on literacy and guidance on the implementation of the Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA). Passed during the 2013 legislative session, the Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA) places an emphasis on grade-level reading skills, particularly as students progress through grades K-3.

AIM's Pathways to Proficient Reading and Pathways to Literacy Leadership courses will provide next steps training for our Science of Reading Journey while supporting Mississippi's mission to prepare students to compete in the global community. These two hybrid courses are customized for the Mississippi Department of Education and include asynchronous learning as well as two in-person training sessions with experienced AIM facilitators.

The Pathways to Proficient Reading for Teachers course will give educators access to resources for classroom application-based practices to support strong, proficient readers through the Science of Reading.

The Pathways for Literacy Leadership course will provide educational leaders the tools to create and implement a literacy plan in their schools.

Questions?

General Information: Kristen Wynn, State Literacy Director, kwells@mdek12.org

Registration: Susan Scott, North MS Education Consortium, sscott@olemiss.edu

Registration Deadline Extended - Wednesday, August 31

Pathways to Proficient Reading for Teachers

Pathways to Proficient Reading is an IDA-accredited foundational course in the science of reading, designed for educators committed to learning about the connection between reading research, theoretical models such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and best practices for language and literacy instruction in the classroom.

Commitment Includes:

Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
Completion of 14 asynchronous learning sections (with 2 additional optional sections)
Attendance and Participation at two, daylong in-person training sessions (November 2022 and April 2023)
Participation in two, 60-minute virtual, synchronous coaching community of practice sessions
Completion of post-knowledge inventory
12-Month access to the AIM Pathways Platform - so materials can be reviewed, applied and accessed in the classroom when needed. Course Syllabus

Registration

Choose from one of 8 learning cohorts based on Location of In-Person Sessions in November 2022 and April 2023.

Before selecting cohort choices, please check Pacing Guide Schedules below for specific dates of in-person trainings and two virtual, synchronous coaching community of practice sessions.

Cohort 1 - Jackson 1
Cohort 2 - Biloxi
Cohort 3 - Hattiesburg
Cohort 4 - Natchez
Cohort 5 - Jackson 2
Cohort 6 - Cleveland
Cohort 7 - Oxford
Cohort 8 - Meridian

After you have reviewed course schedules and options, please complete the registration form to make your cohort selections.

NMEC RegistratioN

Pathways to Literacy Leadership for Educational Leaders

Pathways to Literacy Leadership is a comprehensive training course to help school leaders advance literacy evidence-based instruction into all classrooms. This course is appropriate for Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Directors of Special Education and Student Services, and Directors of Curriculum and Instruction.

Commitment includes:

Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
Completion of 10 asynchronous learning sections
Attendance and Participation at two, daylong in-person training sessions (November 2022 and March 2023) where you will work on a Literacy Plan for your organization.
Completion of pre and post-knowledge inventories
12-Month Access to the AIM Pathways Platform so materials can be reviewed, applied and accessed in the classroom when needed

Registration

Choose from one of 4 learning cohorts based on Location of In-Person Sessions in November 2022 and April 2023.

Before selecting cohort choices, please check Pacing Guide Schedules below for specific dates of in-person trainings.

This course is appropriate for Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Directors of Special Education and Student Services, and Directors of Curriculum and Instruction.

Cohort 1 - Jackson 1
Cohort 2 - Oxford
Cohort 3 - Jackson 2
Cohort 4 - Hattiesburg

After you have reviewed course schedules and options, please complete the registration form to make your cohort selections.

NMEC RegistratioN

Please Note: If you are a teacher, complete the Teacher Registration Link

AIM Pathways Introduction

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AIM Pathways FAQs

What is AIM Pathways?

AIM Pathways^TM is:

An interactive, digital teacher professional development platform designed to deliver research and evidence-based courses in literacy to improve teacher instructional practice resulting in improved student outcomes.
A scalable, affordable solution for schools seeking to improve student literacy.
A unique tool that provides downloadable teacher resources and real-time intervention tools for use in the classroom.
Designed for sustainability by training internal coaches and school-based literacy leaders trained to maintain the fidelity of instructional practices.
An important program to onboard new teachers and to sustain the school’s investment in developing a cohesive, comprehensive literacy program through all grades.
Accessible to teachers via a variety of devices (iPads and mobile phones) to use as a tool when working with children.

Certificate awarded upon successful completion of AIM Pathways courses. Pathways to Proficient Reading is eligible for 3 graduate credits.

What is the Learn, Practice, Apply Cycle?

Research shows that traditional stand and deliver workshops are ineffective at changing instructional practices. Teachers find it difficult to translate theoretical models into classroom practice. For that reason, AIM Pathways courses are designed to follow a Learn, Practice and Apply cycle.

Learn: Participants acquire knowledge during the course in a variety of ways: video lectures, articles, readings and animated videos.
Practice: Participants and then have the opportunity to practice that knowledge by completed specially designed activities such as card sorting exercises, quizzes and surveys that will help them begin that translation.
Apply: Participants demonstrate their understanding of the content by applying their knowledge to real life scenarios via classroom simulations and case studies. These in-depth, multi-step classroom simulations replicate real-life scenarios, giving teachers a chance to hone their diagnostic and prescriptive instructional skills.

How Long Does it Take to Complete AIM Pathways Courses?

Pathways to Proficient Reading: It should take approximately 45 hours to complete the online, IDA-accredited Pathways to Proficient Reading course depending on the participant's background knowledge in the science of reading. The 17-section course includes a pre-knowledge inventory and a post-knowledge inventory to ascertain knowledge acquisition as well as 6 one-hour virtual coaching sessions to support classroom application. Access the course syllabus here.

1-Year AIM Pathways Platform Access: All participants receive one full year of access to the AIM Pathways platform which can act as an ongoing reference tool allowing all participants to revisit content and access downloadable materials, activities and instructional tools. The courses are easily searchable on all digital devices including smart phones and can be used as a just-in-time tool during instructional classroom time.

What are Virtual Communities of Practice?

It is well researched that a Community of Practice (CoP) is a powerful tool for extending the coaching function that helps educators actually apply the skills learned through professional training opportunities in their classrooms. When facilitated and designed well, a CoP serves as an effective coaching tool deepening evidence-based knowledge and practice through readings, real-time scenarios including case studies and discussions, problem solving, coaching and sharing experiences across membership.

What Are the Technical Requirements for Using AIM Pathways?

What additional courses are featured on AIM PATHWAYS™?

Pathways to Proficient Writing - For educators interested in learning effective instructional writing practices that will benefit all students.
Pathways to Structured Literacy: The Orton-Gillingham Approach - Perfect for educators interested in furthering their knowledge and skills in the science of reading with a course based on Orton-Gillingham instruction. IDA Accredited. (Prerequisite - Pathways to Proficient Reading)

Are these resources subject to copyright?

How do I receive Arcadia University Graduate Credits?

In order to qualify for graduate credits that Arcadia will accept, participants must average 83% for their total grade.
The Pathways to Proficient Reading grade is determined by participation in Post Knowledge Inventory, end-of-section quiz scores, and the virtual community of practice sessions provided during the course.
AIM assigns a grade upon completion of the course according to the Arcadia Graduate Academic Policies.
Registration for graduate credits through Arcadia must be complete one month prior to the end of the course.
Cost per graduate credits is $150 (Total Cost = $450)
Graduate credits cannot be applied for after the course is complete.
Please check with your school district or degree university for their policy on any reimbursement or transfer of credit grade requirement

Arcadia Graduate credit Registration

Questions?

For technical questions regarding AIM Pathways, contact the help desk at pathwaysupport@aimpa.org.