Implementation and Change Management: Leading Literacy Work With Intention

Strategic change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design. This Lexia® executive digest shares how district leaders are managing the complexity of literacy implementation with purpose, clarity, and collaboration. Drawing from the 2025 Science of Reading Leadership Summits, the brief emphasizes how effective change management is key to improving outcomes, especially for secondary learners.

District leaders nationwide are developing literacy plans with clear milestones, aligned professional learning, and consistent messaging that keeps goals visible and attainable. Leaders are anchoring change efforts in the “why,” establishing success criteria, modeling best practices, and reinforcing accountability at every level.

Implementation is most effective when it’s inclusive. Teachers, families, and instructional staff are invited into the process through ongoing dialogue, reflection sessions, and collaborative learning opportunities. These structures ensure change is not only top-down but co-owned by the entire school community.

Transparency and trust also play a central role. When data is shared openly and tied to specific goals, it becomes a tool for empowerment rather than evaluation. Stakeholders understand progress and feel invested in the path forward.

Lexia supports educators by providing science-backed instructional tools and professional learning frameworks that drive intentional implementation. With the right support, leaders can foster the systems and shared ownership needed to ensure literacy gains are real and built to last.