External Evaluation of the National Center on Improving Literacy

Overview

The National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL), operated by Boston University’s Wheelock College for Education and Human Development with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, is a partnership among literacy experts, university researchers, and technical assistance providers. NCIL’s mission is to

  1. increase access to, and use of, evidence-based approaches to screen, identify, and teach students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia, and
  2. build individual and organization capacity to assess students’ literacy-related skill, identify students with disabilities or those at risk of disabilities, and implement evidence-based literacy programs and professional development.

Outcomes of Interest

MCPER serves as the external evaluator of the NCIL. MCPER will collect, summarize, and disseminate summative data to

  1. provide NCIL staff regular opportunities to engage in data-based decision-making to support their continuous improvements and
  2. allow stakeholders, NCIL staff, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and external evaluators from MCPER to document the progress NCIL has made on its intended outcomes.