After a district adopts a SPIRE Literacy solution, EPS Learning supports smooth, effective implementation through professional learning, coaching, and proactive data monitoring.
The most successful districts go a step further by establishing internal systems to regularly review data, glean insights, and take timely, human-centered action.
Implementation science shows that transformative change comes through continuous improvement. The following strategies can help districts build continuous-improvement systems and routines that support meaningful literacy gains and positive outcomes for all.
1. Establish Implementation Teams at Both District and School Levels
A district-level Implementation Team helps coordinate rollout, monitor fidelity, facilitate ongoing professional learning, and address system-wide needs. This district-level team also defines the strategic literacy goals connected to a new literacy initiative and communicates these to school-based teams.
Meaningful, measurable change happens in schools—where instruction takes place. Therefore, each building benefits from having its own Implementation Team or using an existing PLC to track progress and support implementation locally.
Team members may include administrators, coaches, literacy leads, and teachers. Their shared responsibilities include:
- Tracking progress, in alignment with strategic literacy goals
- Identifying challenges
- Taking responsive action
- Providing leadership, coaching, and ongoing support
Both district and school teams are most effective when they schedule regular data reviews (e.g., biweekly or monthly) and keep literacy initiatives top of mind through ongoing communication in staff meetings and leadership conversations.
2. Define Key Metrics and Clarify Where Data Lives
Districts often collaborate with their EPS Learning partners to clarify key goals, such as improved reading outcomes, stronger student confidence, and increased teacher satisfaction. Once goals are set, the next step is identifying how progress will be measured—such as through program usage, student growth, or teacher engagement—and where that data can be accessed.
The SPIRE Literacy Suite provides built-in dashboards and reports to support data review. Districts may also use existing internal systems, such as MTSS dashboards, to consolidate and review data. Ensuring that all teams know how to access and navigate these tools helps make data reviews more productive.
It is also important to supplement solution-based data with additional inputs, such as local assessments, surveys, or observations, and to track both academic and non-academic gains. District and school leaders can only monitor and reflect on what is actively measured.
3. Communicate What's Being Measured and Why It Matters
Teachers need clarity about which data points are being collected and how. Some data is automatically captured by digital tools; other data requires manual entry, such as observational data or progress monitoring. Clear expectations and training around data entry promote consistent, reliable data to inform valid insights.
When educators understand how their contributions to data collection help uncover what’s working—and what’s not—they are more likely to be invested in the process.
4. Review Data Regularly—and Act on It
Implementation Teams should hold regular data review sessions to:
- Celebrate progress
- Identify challenges and trends
- Explore root causes
- Develop timely, responsive next steps
Data reviews should result in clear decisions and follow-up actions—not just discussion. When data leads to improvements for teachers and students, momentum builds.
5. Take Human-Centered Action to Address Barriers
Behind every data point is a student or teacher. When challenges arise, pair data with insight from teachers and students, as they are the people closest to the work. Common obstacles such as scheduling constraints based on the current master schedule or training needs are often relatively easy to address with administrator-level support.
Human-centered support that is responsive, timely, and tailored to educator needs—such as refresher training or job-embedded coaching—can help build trust and increase teachers’ sense of agency.
6. Celebrate Progress and Sustain Growth
Continuous improvement also includes celebrating what is working. Leaders can support this by:
- Sharing progress updates
- Recognizing teacher contributions
- Highlighting students’ achievements
- Offering forums for teachers to share effective practices
Acknowledging strengths and building on progress can boost morale and motivate both teachers and students to stay engaged in the work.
By embedding data review cycles for reflection, insight, and human-centered response, districts can move beyond initial rollout toward lasting literacy outcomes. Implementation success depends not only on a strong solution, but on the systems and practices that sustain it.
After a district adopts a SPIRE Literacy solution, EPS Learning supports smooth, effective implementation through professional learning, coaching, and proactive data monitoring.
The most successful districts go a step further by establishing internal systems to regularly review data, glean insights, and take timely, human-centered action.
Implementation science shows that transformative change comes through continuous improvement. The following strategies can help districts build continuous-improvement systems and routines that support meaningful literacy gains and positive outcomes for all.
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