Leading for Adolescent Literacy

Strengthening adolescent literacy takes more than classroom strategies—it requires schoolwide systems that equip educators, empower students, and deliver measurable, long-term improvement.

As unfinished learning grows more complex in middle and high school, secondary leaders face immense pressure: raising literacy performance tied to state testing and graduation rates, supporting teachers who feel unprepared to teach reading skills, and engaging older students who are often discouraged or disconnected from grade-level texts. Addressing these challenges at scale demands clear direction, aligned structures, and evidence-based tools that ensure every student receives the right level of support.

Lexia’s adolescent literacy leadership guide gives school administrators a step-by-step roadmap for building a thriving literacy ecosystem. Grounded in the science of reading and tailored for secondary environments, this guide outlines the leadership actions that drive real change—from setting measurable goals and aligning instructional practices across departments to strengthening intervention systems and supporting teachers with effective professional learning.

You’ll also see how solutions like Lexia PowerUp Literacy® and Lexia Aspire™ Professional Learning help leaders identify unfinished learning, accelerate skill development, and equip teachers across all content areas to reinforce vocabulary, comprehension, and academic language.

Whether your goal is to close foundational gaps, improve stamina and engagement, or ensure equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction, this guide helps you understand what’s possible when leadership systems and evidence-based supports work together.

Download the guide and take the next step toward building a schoolwide literacy system that lifts every learner.