The Mississippi Department of Education’s Division of Literacy announces that registration will open soon for the Mississippi Science of Reading Trainings for Teachers and Leaders offered through professional development courses by AIM Institute for Learning and Research.
These trainings for Mississippi teachers and leaders are designed to help educators learn and apply the science of reading research through structured literacy practices. In the 2025-26 cohort, AIM Pathways professional development will assist K-5 general education teachers, reading interventionists, K-8 special education teachers, and leaders in furthering their ability to apply the science of reading.
Courses will run August/September 2025 through March 2026 and include asynchronous sessions, with 2 in-person sessions in October 2025 and March 2026. Seats are limited. Educators are encouraged to sign up early via AIM Institute for Learning and Research when registration opens. Brief course descriptions are below. *A Level 1 course must be completed before a Level 2 course can be taken. Full descriptions can be viewed online once registration opens.
LEVEL 1 COURSES:
- Pathways to Proficient Reading for Teachers (500 seats available) is a 52-hour hybrid course through North MS Education Consortium (NMEC) that will provide educators access to resources for application-based classroom practices to support strong, proficient readers through the science of reading. This course is designed for K-5 general education teachers and K-8 special education teachers. In-person sessions held in Jackson, Meridian, Cleveland, Hattiesburg, and Oxford. *Receive 5.2 CEUs, 40 SEMIs, or 4 OSLs upon course completion.
- Pathways for Literacy Leadership for Educational Leaders (150 seats available) is a 42-hour hybrid course through North MS Education Consortium (NMEC) that will provide tools and resources to create and implement a comprehensive literacy plan for schools and develop administrators’ understanding of the classroom application of the science of reading. In-person sessions held in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Oxford. *Receive 4.2 CEUs, 30 SEMIs, or 3 OSLs upon course completion.
- Pathways to Proficient Reading for Secondary Educators is an asynchronous training for grades 3-12 general education teachers. Sessions will cover the connection between reading research, theoretical models such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and best practices for language and literacy instruction in the classroom. Participants will learn effective instructional practices to benefit all students, including linguistically diverse populations and those with language-based learning disabilities. Course includes mandatory Virtual Community of Practice sessions with an AIM Facilitator. *Receive 5.2 CEUs, 40 SEMIs, or 4 OSLs upon course completion.
- Pathways to Proficient Reading- Educator Preparation is an asynchronous training that will provide educators access to resources for application-based classroom practices to support strong, proficient readers through the science of reading. Each session will be engaging and applicable to all areas of literacy. This training will support first year teachers and future educators in furthering their ability to apply the Science of Reading, while supporting Mississippi’s mission to prepare students to compete in a global community. Course includes mandatory Virtual Community of Practice sessions with an AIM Facilitator. *Receive 5.2 CEUs, 40 SEMIs, or 4 OSLs upon course completion.
LEVEL 2 COURSES:
An individual must complete one of the Level 1 courses as a prerequisite to the Level 2 courses.
- Pathways to Structured Literacy (225 seats available) is a hybrid course that focuses on diagnostic and prescriptive literacy instruction. This International Dyslexia Association (IDA) accredited online offering will enhance participants’ practice in a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)/Response to Intervention (RTI) framework. In-person sessions held in Jackson, Gulfport, and Oxford. *Receive 4.2 CEUs, 30 SEMIs, or 3 OSLs upon course completion.
- Pathways to Proficient Writing (50 seats available) is a hybrid course that focuses on best practices for writing instruction grounded in writing research including The Writing Cycle and the Not-So-Simple View of Writing. The approaches benefit all students, including linguistically diverse populations and those with language-based learning disabilities. In-person sessions held in Jackson. *Receive 4.2 CEUs, 30 SEMIs, or 3 OSLs upon course completion.
- Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners is an asynchronous training designed to support teachers who work with English learners. This may include general education, English learner, and special education teachers who work with English learner students. Course includes mandatory Virtual Community of Practice sessions with an AIM Facilitator. *Receive 1.3 CEUs, 10 SEMIs, or 1 OSL upon course completion.
- Demystifying Dyslexia is a self-paced, virtual training for K-5 general education teachers, reading interventionists, K-8 special education teachers, and leaders. This training introduces dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that is estimated to affect 5-20% of the population. The content of this training explains the origin of dyslexia, key characteristics of the disability, and the necessary elements to support these individuals inside and outside of the classroom environment. *Receive 0.3 CEUs only.
Questions: For questions regarding registration, contact Susan Scott of North MS Education Consortium at sscott@olemiss.edu. For general information questions, contact Brandi Bankston, MDE Literacy Projects and Professional Development Manager, at bbankston@mdek12.org.