The ULLN, which is co-convened by Catherine Snow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is focused on building system-level strategies in secondary literacy. The challenge of embedding literacy instruction across the disciplines (i.e., not exclusively in English/Language Arts) has been a major focus of this group. We have partnered with SERP (the Strategic Education Research Partnership) to develop diagnostic assessments, curriculum interventions and materials, and district-level frameworks that are being piloted and studied in multiple Aspen urban districts.

This project is focused on supporting and expanding a vibrant and effective network of urban literacy leaders who work collaboratively to improve student achievement in Cross District Teams. In addition to cross-district team retreats, we have started a process for cross-visitation and collective site visits and we have developed an on-line community and resource site for use by the members. A key aspect of the work has been to identify practices worthy of attention within ULLN districts and to document them in ways that facilitate dissemination to other districts, educators, and policy leaders. Building on "practices worthy of attention" and the needs of districts, this Network engages district leaders in a rigorous process of identifying tools and strategies to strengthen literacy instruction, and, when necessary, re-engineer these tools and strategies for use at scale.