ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

https://www.uwa.edu/news/blalock-receives-uwas-distinguished-dissertation-award-for-research-on-rural-reading-proficiency/

For Autumn Blalock of Abbeville, Alabama, earning the University of West Alabama’s Distinguished Dissertation Award for the Spring 2026 commencement cycle was an honor that was deeply personal to her.

09/03/2026

This week we are highlighting quotable quotes from ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative Mrs. Misty Wilson's "From Moment to Momentum" episode.

This paradox is so true...Slow down to move forward faster!

Be sure to check out the entire episode by visiting https://oxl.alsde.edu/oxl-podcasts or on Spotify.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Great time spent with Superintendent Julie Talton and District Leader Kristy Towns discussing celebrations, priorities for this school year, and next steps for supporting Etowah County Schools. We know how full a superintendent’s plate can be, which makes it even more meaningful when they make time to join us in collaborative planning. We are thankful for their leadership and commitment to the work.

ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative
Etowah County Schools

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

📚 For Families & Communities: Helping Your Child Become a Confident Reader! 🌟

The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is committed to helping every child develop strong literacy skills and become a confident reader. This month’s family newsletter is filled with simple, practical ways families can support reading at home.

🏠 Practice at Home
📖 Learn Together
❤️ Support Your Reader

From conversation starters and easy activities to helpful resources, there are tools you can use every day to build your child’s love of reading.

Take a look at our latest Family Literacy Newsletter and discover ways to support your reader at home! 👇

🔗 Read the Newsletter:

Family & Community

09/01/2026

Day Two in Birmingham 📖📝🗣️

Today, our ARI Beyond Grade 3 Peer Coaches came together for makeup training, building the foundation for the work we will do together throughout the year.

We talked about what anchors our work: the Science of Reading, evidence-based practices, standards-based instruction, and using evidence of impact to guide our decisions.

And this is only the beginning.

Very soon, this cohort will reconvene to dig into beginning-of-year data and begin mapping strategic plans to address student needs through differentiated core instruction and targeted Tier 2 instruction.

This is what collective efficacy looks like.

It’s teachers learning together.
It’s teachers planning together.
It’s teachers examining evidence together.
It’s teachers getting better together.

And ultimately, it’s about creating systematic, sustainable change that makes a difference for students—especially beyond grade 3.

We are building a cohort of highly effective educators who are committed to doing the work, doing it well, and doing it together.

This is the work. And we are excited about what’s yet to come.