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When K-2 intervention numbers and 3rd-grade reading struggles reached crisis levels, Westmoreland Central School took action. Stephen Polera and Dr. Wendy Bunker explain how aligning district systems with Science of Reading practices creates collaborative cultures that drive measurable reading improvements.
Stephen and Wendy share their revolutionary process for: 
✅ Conducting classroom audits with expert teams 
✅ Implementing phased Science of Reading training 
✅ Creating 4-day teacher bootcamps 
✅ Restructuring schedules for high-dosage tutoring 
✅ Building co-teaching models that work
Episode Mentions:
0:00 - Introduction & Background 
2:13 - Research Foundations 
4:23 - The Problem: Red Flags in Reading Data
7:14 - Science of Reading Framework Overview 
9:30 - Classroom Audit Process 
12:34 - Audit Implementation & Team Calibration 
16:32 - Four-Day Teacher Bootcamp 
20:13 - Scheduling & Staffing Changes 
22:46 - Classroom Activities That Work 
24:37 - Early Results & Student Joy 
27:36 - Measuring Success: Metrics That Matter 
29:23 - Parent & Caregiver Connections
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
 By Olivia Wahl
By Olivia Wahl4.5
2828 ratings
When K-2 intervention numbers and 3rd-grade reading struggles reached crisis levels, Westmoreland Central School took action. Stephen Polera and Dr. Wendy Bunker explain how aligning district systems with Science of Reading practices creates collaborative cultures that drive measurable reading improvements.
Stephen and Wendy share their revolutionary process for: 
✅ Conducting classroom audits with expert teams 
✅ Implementing phased Science of Reading training 
✅ Creating 4-day teacher bootcamps 
✅ Restructuring schedules for high-dosage tutoring 
✅ Building co-teaching models that work
Episode Mentions:
0:00 - Introduction & Background 
2:13 - Research Foundations 
4:23 - The Problem: Red Flags in Reading Data
7:14 - Science of Reading Framework Overview 
9:30 - Classroom Audit Process 
12:34 - Audit Implementation & Team Calibration 
16:32 - Four-Day Teacher Bootcamp 
20:13 - Scheduling & Staffing Changes 
22:46 - Classroom Activities That Work 
24:37 - Early Results & Student Joy 
27:36 - Measuring Success: Metrics That Matter 
29:23 - Parent & Caregiver Connections
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

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