Knowledge Building to Strengthen and Deepen Comprehension Institute

Dates: July 23-24, 2026 Times: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST  Location: Teachers College Price: $525

• Early Bird Discount: $450

• Regular Rate: $525, after May 15, 2026

• Group/Team Discount: $425 per person for groups of 5 or more. (If you qualify for a discount the price will appear at check out.)

Who should attend: (K-9) classroom teachers (literacy) curriculum and instructional specialists, coaches, principals, and school administrators.

This institute invites teachers and literacy leaders to further their understanding of reading research on the vital connections between knowledge building and reading comprehension. Participants will translate key research findings into effective classroom practices. We will focus on replicable strategies for interactive read-alouds and close reading, emphasizing vocabulary development and explicit instruction. Beyond the mechanics of literacy, we will explore how inclusive pedagogies, centered on student discourse, writing, and joy, not only build content knowledge but foster a thriving community of learners.

Learning objectives:

• Analyze Research Foundations: Learn about the critical links between background knowledge, vocabulary, and explicit instruction in driving reading comprehension.

• Integrate and Apply Knowledge-Building Research: Design read-alouds and close reading routines that bridge the gap between content knowledge with literacy instruction.  

• Build Knowledge-Building Text Sets: Develop and implement multimodal text sets to accelerate student engagement, provide access points, and support content mastery across grade levels.

• Foster Discourse and Writing about Reading: Implement strategies that use academic talk and writing as primary tools for deepening comprehension and knowledge retention.

• Cultivate Inclusive Environments: Apply research-based practices to build a joyful, knowledge-rich classroom community that honors all students and fosters a curiosity for learning.

Certificate Information:  Upon completion: Participants who complete this conference will receive a Certificate of Participation. Licensed educators in NY state are also eligible for a Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE) certificate for a total of up to 12 CTLE hours. 

Institute Scholarships:  We are pleased to offer scholarships for teachers and school leaders to attend Teachers College Advancing Literacy institute events. We invite interested teachers and literacy leaders to apply to learn with the Advancing Literacy team and fellow educators this summer. 

These scholarships are in memory of Kathleen Tolan, a devoted teacher and educational leader. Kathleen was a member of our community for years and mentored many of us as teachers and staff developers. These scholarships are opportunities for educators to continue this learning legacy. 

Please use this form to apply, to be considered for a scholarship. Applications should be submitted one month in advance of the institute. 

Logistics Overview: 

• Acceptance for the institute is contingent upon receipt of payment within 14 days of applying (for all tickets purchased). 

• For early bird pricing, payment should be received and accepted by May 15, 2026. 

• Click here to access a Quote for your purchase, if needed.

• Once payment is received, please log in to your Dashboard (on our website) and assign the seat(s). If you need to make any modifications to seat assignments, please notify us at advancingliteracy@tc.columbia.edu. 

• We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and a participant who has been accepted to the institute may be unable to attend. If you must withdraw, please let us know as early as possible. Once payment is made, it confirms your commitment to attend. If you must withdraw after paying, a $75 withdrawal fee will apply. Additionally, if you withdraw within one month of the start of the institute, we will be unable to issue a refund.