Louisiana
Evidence-Based Literacy Learning for Louisiana Educators & Leaders
AIM Institute partners with Louisiana educators, schools, and leaders to strengthen literacy instruction through professional learning grounded in the science of reading. Our work supports both individual educators and systems as they move research into effective classroom practice.
More State Training Partnerships
Current State-Funded AIM Pathways Opportunities for Louisiana Educators
Pathways to Proficient Writing
Registration is open!
Pathways to Proficient Writing is designed to help teachers translate theoretical models of writing into the evidence-based classroom instructional practices that support the development of students' skills and abilities in the area of written expression.
In addition to the asynchronous online coursework, you will participate in a series of four 1-hour synchronous, virtual community-of-practice meetings moderated by an AIM Pathways Facilitator. These meetings focus on supporting community members as they work to implement new practices in the classroom with fidelity.
Cohort 5
- Course access: April 2, 2026
- Virtual Community of Practice sessions: Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 PM CT
Click here to view the Cohort 5 pacing guide
Cohort 6
- Course access: April 2, 2026
- Virtual Community of Practice sessions: Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 PM CT
Click here to view the Cohort 6 pacing guide
Register for Pathways to Proficient Writing
Email Phaedra Early at Phaedra.Early@la.gov to secure your spot.
Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary
Registration is open!
Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary 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 adolescent classrooms. Participants will learn effective instructional practices that will benefit all students, including those with or at risk for language-based learning disabilities.
In addition to the asynchronous online coursework, you will participate in a series of six 1-hour synchronous, virtual community-of-practice meetings moderated by an AIM Pathways Facilitator. These meetings focus on supporting community members as they work to implement new practices in the classroom with fidelity.
- Course access: April 2, 2026
- Virtual Community of Practice sessions: Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00 PM CT
Click here to view the PAthways to Proficient Reading: Secondary pacing guide
Register for Pathways to Proficient REading: Secondary
Email Phaedra Early at Phaedra.Early@la.gov to secure your spot.
Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners
Registration is open!
Develop expert-level knowledge that accelerates language and literacy proficiency for English Learners (ELs) in any program model. This fully asynchronous three-module series includes tools and resources to support immediate instructional application.
This Specialized Reading Knowledge learning option was created in collaboration with researcher Dr. Elsa Cárdenas Hagan. It is designed for individuals who possess a strong foundational knowledge of the science of reading and structured literacy. We strongly recommend prior completion of AIM Institute coursework or equivalent IDA-accredited literacy training before enrollment.
Register for Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners
Email Phaedra Early at Phaedra.Early@la.gov to secure your spot.
A Trusted Partner in Louisiana Literacy Work
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AIM has a long history of working alongside nearly 10,000 Louisiana educators and leaders to support literacy improvement across roles and settings. Our approach blends deep content expertise with practical implementation support, helping schools and systems turn learning into sustained practice.
AIM’s professional learning is:
- Grounded in the science of reading
- Aligned to IDA standards and research-based frameworks
- Designed for real classrooms application
- Flexible enough to support both individual growth and system-wide change
Supporting Literacy Beyond Coursework
For districts and systems seeking deeper support, AIM partners with leaders to strengthen implementation, coaching, and sustainability.
Through leadership learning, coaching models, and systems-level support, AIM helps schools move beyond isolated professional development toward coherent, lasting literacy improvement.
This work is collaborative, consultative, and tailored to local context.
Watch Our On-Demand Webinar with St. Charles Parish
![Lasting Impact: Inside a Structured Literacy Transformation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764960186/manayunk/xelves3dh4kg3iswg9kk/LastingImpactInsideaStructuredLiteracyTransformation.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764960186/manayunk/xelves3dh4kg3iswg9kk/LastingImpactInsideaStructuredLiteracyTransformation.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764960186/manayunk/xelves3dh4kg3iswg9kk/LastingImpactInsideaStructuredLiteracyTransformation.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764960186/manayunk/xelves3dh4kg3iswg9kk/LastingImpactInsideaStructuredLiteracyTransformation.png","width":1080}])
Lasting Impact: Inside a Structured Literacy Transformation
When Louisiana set a new course for literacy instruction through Act 108, St. Charles Parish was the only public school district in the state still using Reading Recovery. Today, they are a powerful example of what’s possible when education leaders not only invest in high-quality structured literacy professional development but also follow through with consistent implementation over time.
Improved My Ability to Work with Instructional Staff
“AIM Pathways to Structured Literacy, Proficient Writing, and Proficient Reading have greatly improved my ability to work with instructional staff and direct the development and application of good, study-based teaching strategies grounded in the Science of Reading.”
— Kesha C., Literacy/Reading Coach, Louisiana
Common Language
“Pathways to Proficient Reading has changed the way we look at literacy improvement. We have seen more growth in literacy benchmarks and state test scores than ever before. AIM gave us the opportunity to form a common language as leaders, which led to a unified approach to supporting teachers as they engaged in this deep learning centered on the Science of Reading.”
— Angela H., Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Louisiana
EOY Screener
“Our end of year state screener showed amazing growth, especially in the younger grades. Kindergarten students grew from 30-40% proficiency levels to 87-89% of kindergarten students reading at proficient or advanced by the end of the year! I attribute this growth to my AIM Pathways training. We are blessed to have been taught so many crucial things to support our students in Lafourche!”
— Rhea W., Literacy/Reading Coach, Louisiana
Dynamic & Supportive
“AIM Pathways has transformed the way I approach literacy instruction in my classroom. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my student’s reading skills since taking the course. They are more confident in decoding words and can better understand the material they are working with. The tools from AIM Pathways have truly made my classroom a more dynamic and supportive learning environment.”
—Sheryl T., Kindergarten Teacher, Louisiana
Significant Impact
“The impact of AIM Pathways has been significant. I’ve noticed that students are not only more confident in their reading abilities, but also excited about exploring new words. Their comprehension has improved as they learn to recognize patterns in language.”
—Connie K., Teacher, Louisiana
Revolutionary Digital Platform
“AIM Pathways is a revolutionary digital platform that has tremendously strengthened my knowledge and skills in the science of literacy instruction.”
—Kesha C., Literacy/Reading Coach, Louisiana
Should Be Requirement
“As I move through AIM Pathways courses, I am convinced they should be a requirement for all pre-K through 3rd grade teachers, administrators, and special education teachers.”
—Educator, Louisiana
Louisiana Partners
