From Red Flags to Reading Success: The Audit Every School Needs with Stephen Polera & Dr. Wendy Bunker

When K-2 intervention numbers and 3rd-grade reading struggles reached crisis levels, Westmoreland Central School took action. Stephen Polera and Dr. Wendy Bunker explain how aligning district systems with Science of Reading practices creates collaborative cultures that drive measurable reading improvements.

Stephen and Wendy share their revolutionary process for: 
✅ Conducting classroom audits with expert teams 
✅ Implementing phased Science of Reading training 
✅ Creating 4-day teacher bootcamps 
✅ Restructuring schedules for high-dosage tutoring 
✅ Building co-teaching models that work

Episode Mentions:

• District-wide and School-Based Implementation 
• School Administrators Association of New York State
• Westmoreland Central School
• Dr. Benita Blachman
• Dr. Linnea Ehri
• Bolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model of Leadership
• Section 818: Evidence-based and scientifically based reading instruction
• Rocco Migliori
• Trevor Haskell 
• Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES - Ann Turner
• The Simple View of Reading & Scarborough's Rope
• Orthographic Mapping
• Achieve the Core Audit Tool
• Six Syllable Types
• Dr. David Kilpatrick - Equipped for Reading Success
• Just-in-Time vs. Just-in-Case Scaffolding
• How to Choose a Co-Teaching Model 

0:00 - Introduction & Background 
2:13 - Research Foundations 
4:23 - The Problem: Red Flags in Reading Data
7:14 - Science of Reading Framework Overview 
9:30 - Classroom Audit Process 
12:34 - Audit Implementation & Team Calibration 
16:32 - Four-Day Teacher Bootcamp 
20:13 - Scheduling & Staffing Changes 
22:46 - Classroom Activities That Work 
24:37 - Early Results & Student Joy 
27:36 - Measuring Success: Metrics That Matter 
29:23 - Parent & Caregiver Connections

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.