About Us

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning

Our History

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning (PLL) is a Vermont-based nonprofit committed to ensuring that every student, PreK through Grade 12, has access to high-quality literacy instruction.

PLL’s work began in 2000 with the creation of the Vermont Reads Institute (VRI), an initiative conceived by Vermont Commissioner of Education Marc Hull and literacy consultant Sue Biggam. Housed first at Vermont Institutes and later at the University of Vermont’s College of Education and Social Services, VRI coordinated major federal literacy initiatives and supported schools statewide for more than a decade. Under the leadership of Dr. Marjorie Lipson and Director Mary Grace, VRI partnered with dozens of districts and thousands of teachers, helping shape research-based literacy policy and practice across Vermont.

In 2017, PLL was established as an independent nonprofit to extend and deepen that work. As a mission-driven organization, PLL focuses on helping schools “get better” through collaborative, action-oriented, evidence-based support. Since becoming a nonprofit, PLL has steadily expanded its reach. During the 2023–2024 school year, PLL partnered with 15 schools across 9 districts, serving more than 7,000 students and directly supporting 231 teachers and 45 administrators. In 2024–2025, that impact more than doubled. PLL partnered with 35 schools across 11 districts, serving nearly 9,900 students and supporting 513 teachers and 68 administrators, coaches, and curriculum leaders. Our consultants spent 291 days embedded in schools, working side by side with educators to strengthen systems and refine instruction. This growth reflects both the demand for PLL’s model and the urgency of improving literacy outcomes statewide.

From its origins as Vermont Reads Institute to its current statewide reach, PLL continues to work toward a simple but ambitious goal: ensuring that every Vermont student has the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader.

PLL Mission:

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning is committed to bringing the power of literacy to all students through partnerships with organizations and educators. We are dedicated to building expertise so that students from pre-K through grade 12 develop complex reading, writing, and critical thinking skills for personal and civic engagement throughout their lives.

Partnerships for Literacy and Learning Values

R. E. A. D.

R

Respect

PLL respects teachers and students by focusing on building relationships that lead to student-centered instruction, critical thinking, and deep comprehension.

E

Empowerment

PL empowers students and educators to build literacy competence so they can impact the world with bold confidence.

A

Access

PLL advocates for public support for schools and other institutions so they can embrace all students to achieve high levels of literacy.

D

Dignity

PLL values the dignity of both students and educators by instilling autonomy and curiosity to create confident and independent citizens.

Voices From The Field

Milton Middle School Teacher

"Our PLL Literacy consultant is a master in the field of literacy and shared this knowledge in a kind and meaningful manner, elevating the work we are doing as teachers of literacy and creating a common language for how we talk about our readers, their needs, and goals. "

- Milton Middle School Teacher

Barton Academy Teacher

"Our PLL consultant did an excellent job—she clearly understood our perspectives and engaged meaningfully with our team."

- Barton Academy Teacher

Milton Middle School Teacher

"I regularly use the learning from PLL in my practice, from activities to profiles and assessments. "

- Milton Middle School Teacher

Milton Elementary School

"This profile work has been really wonderful, looking forward to seeing how it all works when we pilot it next year."

- Milton Elementary School

Carl Anderson Event Participant

"The presenter is extremely personable and knowledgeable about the subject matter, and used videos of student/class conferences strategically and in an engaging way. "