Mississippi
Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners
*Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners is only open to educators who have previously completed Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
Develop the specialized knowledge required to accelerate language and literacy proficiency for English Learners in any program model with immediate instructional applications with this course created in collaboration with literacy researcher Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan.
Specialized Reading Knowledge Bundle: English Learners includes 10 hours of asynchronous online course instruction with exclusive content recorded by Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan, and a wealth of assessment resources, implementation tools, and printables to support immediate use in the classroom. Each of the three module in the course are paired with a 1-hour synchronous community of practice session (VCoP) with an expert AIM facilitator.
Registration for EL is currently closed
- Prerequisite: Completion of Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership
- 13 Hours
- Course Syllabus
- Module 1: Introduction to English Learners: Language & Literacy Development (2 Hours, 1 hour VCOP)
- Module 2: Word Recognition Among English Learners (4 hours, 1 hour VCOP)
- Module 3: Language Comprehension Among English Learners (4 hours, 1 hour VCOP)
*Demystifying Dyslexia is only open to educators who have previously completed Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
Demystifying Dyslexia
This AIM Pathways module provides an introduction to dyslexia, a language based learning disability that is estimated to affect 5-20% of the population. The content of this module explains the origin of dyslexia, key characteristics of the disability, and the necessary elements to support these individuals inside and outside of the classroom environment.
Prerequisite: Completion of Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership
Demystifying Dyslexia Self-Paced Outline
- Pre-Module Knowledge Inventory
- Section 1 - The Origin of Dyslexia
- Section 2 - Recognizing Characteristics of Dyslexia
- Section 3 - Effective Instruction, Intervention & Ongoing Support
- Post-Module Knowledge Inventory
- CEUs: 0.3
- Contact hours: 3
Click here to register for Demystifying Dyslexia*
*Demystifying Dyslexia is only open to educators who have previously completed Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary
Pathways to Proficient Reading for Secondary Educators is asynchronous training for grades 3-12 general education teachers. Sessions will cover 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. Participants will learn effective instructional practices to benefit all students, including linguistically diverse populations and those with language-based learning disabilities.
Commitment Includes:
- Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
- Completion of 16 asynchronous learning sections (with 2 additional optional sections)
- Attendance and Participation required at the 6 virtual meetings
- 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.
- CEUs: 5.2
- SEMIs: 40
- Contact hours: 52
Active Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary Cohort Details
Pathways to Literacy Leadership
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.
Registration for PLL is Currently closed
Commitment includes:
- Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
- Completion of 10 asynchronous learning sections
- Attendance and Participation is required at two, daylong in-person training sessions (October 2025 and March 2026)
- 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
- OSLs: 3
- SEMIs: 30
- Contact hours: 42
Active Pathways to Literacy Leadership Cohort Details
Pathways to Proficient Reading
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.
Registration for PPR is currently closed
Commitment Includes:
- Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
- Completion of 14 asynchronous learning sections (with 2 additional optional sections)
- Attendance and Participation required at two daylong in-person training 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.
- Training sequence (Asynchronous- self-paced course in fall, 1 face to face session in fall, Asynchronous -self-paced course in spring, 1 face to face in spring.)
- CEUs can be awarded after the completion of this training sequence, with a 60% passing rate.
- CEUs: 5.2
- Contact hours: 52
Active Pathways to Proficient Reading Cohort Details
- Cohort 35 - Jackson Regional
- Cohort 36 - Hattiesburg Regional
- Cohort 37 - Oxford Regional
- Cohort 38 - Meridian Regional
- Cohort 39 - Cleveland Regional
- Cohort 40 - Walthall County SD
- Cohort 41 - Marshall County SD
- Cohort 42 - DeSoto SD
- Cohort 45 - New Albany SD
- Cohort 46 - Rankin County SD
- Cohort 51 - Greenwood Leflore CSD
Cohort 35 - Jackson Regional
Cohort 36 - Hattiesburg Regional
Cohort 37 - Oxford Regional
Cohort 38 - Meridian Regional
Cohort 39 - Cleveland Regional
Cohort 40 - Walthall County SD
Cohort 41 - Marshall County SD
Cohort 42 - DeSoto SD
Cohort 45 - New Albany SD
Cohort 46 - Rankin County SD
Cohort 51 - Greenwood Leflore CSD
- Cohort 52 - Leake SD
- Cohort 54 - Madison County SD
- Cohort 56 - Lowndes County SD
- Cohort 57 - Brookhaven SD
- Cohort 59 - Lamar County SD
- Cohort 60 - Ocean Springs SD
- Cohort 62 - Gulfport SD
- Cohort 63 - Pascagoula-Gautier SD
- Cohort 64 - Moss Point SD
- Cohort 65 - Petal-Columbia
Cohort 52 - Leake SD
Cohort 54 - Madison County SD
Cohort 56 - Lowndes County SD
Cohort 57 - Brookhaven SD
Cohort 59 - Lamar County SD
Cohort 60 - Ocean Springs SD
Cohort 62 - Gulfport SD
Cohort 63 - Pascagoula-Gautier SD
Cohort 64 - Moss Point SD
Cohort 65 - Petal-Columbia
*Pathways to Proficient Writing is only open to educators who have previously completed Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
Pathways to Proficient Writing
Pathways to Proficient Writing is designed for educators that are committed to learning about the connection between writing research, theoretical models. Participants will learn effective instructional practices that will benefit all students, including linguistically diverse populations and those with or at risk for language-based learning disabilities. At the end of this professional development opportunity, you will be able to draw from your specialized knowledge of the processes and skills that comprise writing (including planning and organizing ideas, translating ideas, using transcription skills, and reviewing, revising, and editing) to increase your students’ writing proficiency.
Registration for PPW is currently closed
Commitment Includes:
- Prerequisite: Completion of Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership
- Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
- Completion of 10 asynchronous learning sections
- Attendance and Participation at two, daylong in-person training sessions
- Completion of post-knowledge inventory
*Pathways to Structured Literacy is only open to educators who have previously completed Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
Pathways to Structured Literacy
Pathways to Structured Literacy is an Orton-Gillingham-based professional development experience focusing on diagnostic and prescriptive literacy instruction. Participants will learn components of a complete Structured Literacy lesson. This IDA-accredited offering is perfect for educators who have completed Pathways to Proficient Reading (PPR) and are interested in enhancing their practice in an MTSS/RTII framework. This course is appropriate for all teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, English Language teachers, and literacy coaches.
Registration for PSL is currently closed
Commitment includes:
- Prerequisite: Completion of Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership
- Completion of asynchronous pre-knowledge inventory
- Completion of 10 asynchronous learning sections
- Attendance and Participation is required at two, daylong in-person training sessions (November 2024 and February 2025)
- Completion of pre and post-knowledge inventories
Course participants can sit for the KPEERI exam and have two options to receive certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction:
- Course Completion—Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certificate
- 60-Hour Practicum—Certified Structured Literacy Interventionist.
Required e-book provided by AIM: Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills (4th Edition).
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.
Since 2022, AIM Pathways courses have provided next steps training for our Science of Reading Journey while supporting Mississippi's mission to prepare students to compete in the global community. These hybrid courses are customized for the Mississippi Department of Education and include asynchronous learning as well as in-person training sessions with experienced AIM facilitators.
The Pathways to Proficient Reading and Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary courses 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.
This year, educators who have already completed the Pathways to Proficient Reading or Pathways to Literacy Leadership course can continue their learning with Pathways to Proficient Writing and AIM's course to support work with English learners in the classroom. Learn more about continuing your AIM Pathways training here.
Questions?
General Information: Brandi Bankston, Office of Elementary Education and Reading, bbankston@mdek12.org
Registration: Susan Scott, North MS Education Consortium, sscott@olemiss.edu
AIM Pathways For Mississippi FAQs
- What happens if I miss a session?
- What if my work is not complete by the in-person meeting date?
- How do I access my certificate for my AIM Pathways course?
- Can I receive college credit for taking AIM Pathways courses?
- How do I access CEU credits for taking this course?
- If they have already taken the post-KI upon arrival, what do they do at the session during that time?
- Will participants who do not pass the Post KI need to take it over?
- Are participants allowed to change cohort in-person dates because of district testing schedules?
- Will participants only have an hour to take the Post KI?
- Who is my RESA contact?
- What if I want to drop the course?
What happens if I miss a session?
What if my work is not complete by the in-person meeting date?
How do I access my certificate for my AIM Pathways course?
Can I receive college credit for taking AIM Pathways courses?
How do I access CEU credits for taking this course?
If they have already taken the post-KI upon arrival, what do they do at the session during that time?
Will participants who do not pass the Post KI need to take it over?
Are participants allowed to change cohort in-person dates because of district testing schedules?
Will participants only have an hour to take the Post KI?
Who is my RESA contact?
What if I want to drop the course?
Questions?
For technical questions regarding AIM Pathways, contact the help desk at pathwaysupport@aimpa.org.
DeSoto County Schools, Mississippi
Mississippi has emerged as a national leader in literacy growth and DeSoto County Schools is at the forefront of this transformation. Learn how this district, serving more than 35,000 students, partnered with AIM Institute to deliver evidence-based professional learning through AIM Pathways. Whether you're a district leader, policymaker, or educator, this case study offers practical insights on the impact of strategic collaboration and structured literacy training.




