Language and Literacy Leadership in Texas

Moderator: Maya Valencia Goodall
Presenters:

• Richard Carranza —  Former superintendent of the Houston Independent School District

Texas districts are investing in Structured Literacy and evidence-based instruction, but results depend on whether leadership decisions show up as consistent practice across schools. In this session, Maya Goodall talks with Richard Carranza about the system-level choices that shape literacy work in large districts. Drawing on his leadership experience, the conversation looks at how shared research, professional learning tied to classroom practice, common language around Structured Literacy, and job-embedded coaching work together to support teachers over time. It also surfaces the signals leaders can use to recognize what will strengthen their system and what may work against it when selecting professional learning support.

Participants will leave with:

• • A clearer sense of how leadership decisions drive consistency across schools
  • Practical insight into keeping literacy work grounded in shared research
  • A better understanding of how professional learning connects to classroom practice
  • Perspective on how coaching supports teachers over time in large systems