Stephanie Stollar Consulting

02/27/2026

It’s the middle of the year, your data reports are in, and now you’re staring at a spreadsheet wondering, “Where do I even start?”

In this video, I take you through a step-by-step lesson on forming first-grade reading groups using mid-year screening data.

We move beyond the composite score and dig into what really matters for instruction: nonsense word fluency and oral reading fluency.

You’ll learn:
➡️ Why composite scores are not enough for grouping
➡️ How to validate unexpected scores
➡️ How to sort students from most on-track to most urgent
➡️ What each group actually needs instructionally
➡️ How to use this information for both Tier 1 and small group support

By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical framework for turning messy data into meaningful instructional groups that align with the science of reading and MTSS principles.

If you want the grouping worksheet I use in this video, you can access it inside my free Pre-K-12 resource library.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and stay connected to Reading Science Academy for more support in turning research into results.

02/26/2026

One student. One minute at a time. ⏱️⁠
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Build it into your daily rhythm and you’ll know (without guessing) whether your instruction is working by the end of the week. ⁠
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Simple, predictable, doable. ⁠
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Want my free progress monitoring resources? ⁠
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Get on my email list and let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.⁠
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Comment “EMAIL” below to join!

02/26/2026

One student. One minute at a time. ⏱️

Build it into your daily rhythm and you’ll know (without guessing) whether your instruction is working by the end of the week.

Simple, predictable, doable.

Want my free progress monitoring resources?

Get on my email list and let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.

Sign up here: https://www.stephaniestollar.com/prek-12/free-resources?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=26_02_26_Assessment

02/25/2026

Inside the MTSS Collective, mentorship is layered and intentional.

Our committee members are shaped by decades of learning alongside people who defined this work:

🔴 Margie’s thinking was informed by Galen Alessi who taught her the importance of considering a child’s learning difficulties in the context of curriculum and instruction, what effective instruction looks like, and the value of behavioral observation and data-based decision-making.

🟠 Judy’s leadership was deeply influenced by George Batsche, a national MTSS pioneer whose systems-level work shaped large districts.

🟡 Pam credits Diane Morrison for modeling advocacy and early MTSS system-building that centers students with disabilities.

🟢 Dawn learned to think bigger and push for multi-year pilots through Jeff Grimes’ mentorship.

🔵 Stephanie’s systems lens was shaped by Mike Curtis, who emphasized that MTSS lives or dies at the system level.

When you join the MTSS Collective, you gain proximity to the people, perspectives, and mentorship networks that continue to shape how MTSS is done well.

02/25/2026

One year. One clear model. One team that refused to accept “that’s just how it is.”

This is what’s possible when instruction finally matches student need and no one works alone.

A year ago, a Reading Science Academy member’s first-grade team was sitting below the 80% benchmark and asking hard questions about their system.

They had strong curriculum.

They had professional development.

But the results weren’t where they needed to be.

Instead of adding more programs or blaming students, they changed how instruction was delivered.

With a clear vision and coaching support, this member and her team implemented skill-based groups for phonics that allowed every student to receive instruction aligned to their exact skill needs during Tier 1.

✅ Students were grouped by skill.

✅ Tier 1 and Tier 2 were aligned instead of competing for time.

✅ Progress monitoring data drove real instructional decisions.

The Result ⬇️

By the end of the year, more than 80% of students met benchmarks, and the team posted the highest first-grade reading scores in the district. 🥳

Today, nearly all of those students are successful in whole-class phonics and spelling instruction in second grade without intervention.

This happened because the system changed when educators worked together.

Reading Science Academy exists to support this exact kind of work with cheat sheets, masterclasses, data discussions, and a community that helps you turn research into results.

Want to see what’s possible in your building next?

Join Reading Science Academy and be the success story we celebrate.

https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=26_02_25_RSA_Promo

02/24/2026

You’re collecting the data, but are you really using it? 📈

Join me and This Mom Loves by Kate Winn March 5 for our free webinar, Improving Reading Results: From Assessment to Action.

This is a great opportunity for you to learn how to organize your assessment data within a schoolwide framework that actually moves outcomes.

We’ll break down:

✨ Why early screening matters

✨ How to target a student’s lowest skill need

✨ What to do when progress stalls

If you’re a K–5 teacher, coach, or leader who wants clearer next steps (not just more spreadsheets), this webinar is for you.

Thank you to Scholastic Teachers and edWeb.net for bringing us together!

Register for free today: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/teach2read20260305/

02/19/2026

⏸️ Before you change instruction for one student, pause and zoom out.

We’re so used to analyzing data one student at a time.

A flat graph shows up, everyone leans in, and the conversation immediately turns to what to change for that one child.

But here’s the shift: if ✨no one✨ in the group is growing, it’s not the student. It’s the system.

Group progress monitoring helps you zoom out before you zoom in.

It invites smarter questions about instruction itself.

🧩 Did I group the right students together?

🧩 Are we teaching the right skill?

🧩 Is the intervention long or strong enough?

When you analyze progress as a system, decisions get clearer, meetings get shorter, and instruction improves for everyone.

Midyear data gets a lot clearer when you look for patterns instead of panic.

Unlock the K–12 Resource Library, including ready-to-use progress monitoring tools. ⬇️

https://www.stephaniestollar.com/prek-12/free-resources?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=26_02_19_Assessment

02/18/2026

Reading Science Academy is your on-call consultant for all things literacy and MTSS.

✅ Masterclasses that spark real change

✅ Walk-to-Read models that work

✅ Supportive educators who want you (and your students) to win

As Jake put it: “It’s worth every penny.”

We are always open and accepting new additions to our membership of over 1,300 educators.

Will you be next?

https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=26_02_18_RSA_Promo

02/17/2026

📢 Education Professors: I’ve done the hard part for you!

Each of my 4 FREE course syllabi outlines includes learning objectives, assessments, readings, and practice opportunities that align with the science of reading and MTSS.

Why reinvent the wheel when you can start from something that already works?

✅ Save prep time

✅ Strengthen your program

✅ Focus your creative energy on mentoring

Download the free 4-course sequence today. ⬇️

https://www.stephaniestollar.com/higher-ed/free-resources?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=26_02_17_Higher_Ed

02/14/2026

Some days are just better than others, and yesterday was a great day - spending time with K-8 teachers and the amazing reading specialist who supports them!

02/13/2026

The magic truly is in the instruction!

The magic is in the instruction!

02/13/2026

When budgets are tight, MTSS lives or dies by the strength of your systems, not the size of your staffing list.

A recent MTSS Collective Community Connect session had members brainstorming ways to dig into MTSS even when there’s no money for it.

A shoestring budget calls for ruthless clarity about what matters most.

Bring this checklist to your next MTSS meeting to make sure you’re staying on task.

Remember: MTSS can continue to grow and thrive even when resources are stretched thin.