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

Olivia Wahl

02 June 2025

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 StateWestmoreland Central SchoolDr. Benita BlachmanDr. Linnea EhriBolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model of LeadershipSection 818: Evidence-based and scientifically based reading instructionRocco MiglioriTrevor Haskell Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES - Ann TurnerThe Simple View of Reading & Scarborough's RopeOrthographic MappingAchieve the Core Audit ToolSix Syllable TypesDr. David Kilpatrick - Equipped for Reading SuccessJust-in-Time vs. Just-in-Case ScaffoldingHow 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.