On Leading Engaged Learning, host Miriam Williams sits down with Dr. David E. Lawrence, Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools, to discuss what it takes to improve literacy outcomes in a large urban school district.
Leading more than 13,000 students across Dayton Public Schools, Dr. Lawrence shares his practical approach to literacy improvement, instructional accountability, and organizational leadership. From monitoring curriculum implementation across 17 elementary schools to redesigning district priorities through an Academic Action Plan, this conversation explores how leaders can create focused systems that drive measurable results. Dr. Lawrence also discusses teacher retention, early literacy foundations, inclusion practices, leadership development, and the importance of building the right team to sustain long-term success.
Key Moments
03:43 Monitoring Literacy Implementation
05:23 Accountability Through Curriculum Fidelity
06:17 Using Data to Drive Decisions
07:39 Teacher Retention and Support
10:19 Preschool Promise Partnership
12:20 Literacy Through Professional Expertise
14:21 Supporting Diverse Learners Through Inclusion
17:44 Removing Barriers to Student Learning
20:44 Academic Action Plan Focus
22:16 Annual Strategic Review Process
24:03 Overcoming Deficit Thinking
25:39 Staffing Challenges in Urban Education
26:34 Three Non-Negotiables for Success
28:46 Advice for New Superintendents
Why You’ll Love This Episode
This episode offers a candid look at district leadership, literacy improvement, and organizational accountability in a large urban school system. Dr. Lawrence shares practical lessons from decades in education and explains why successful literacy systems require more than great resources—they require consistent implementation, strong leadership, and unwavering focus.
You'll learn:
- Why curriculum fidelity matters for literacy growth
- How data and classroom observations work together to drive improvement
- Strategies for retaining and supporting high-quality teachers
- How inclusion practices can improve outcomes for diverse learners
- The value of focused, short-term action planning over lengthy strategic plans
- Why leadership teams are critical to district success
- How to balance accountability with support for educators
- Key lessons for new and aspiring superintendents
Dr. Lawrence also reinforces an important message: sustainable improvement happens when leaders focus on people, maintain clear priorities, and ensure every decision supports student success.
Connect with Our Guest
Dr. David E. Lawrence
Superintendent, Dayton Public Schools
Connect with Us
3P Learning Inc
About Leading Engaged Learning
Leading Engaged Learning is a podcast series for district leaders and education innovators focused on what it really takes to improve literacy outcomes by strengthening student engagement. Hosted by Miriam Williams and produced by 3P Learning Inc, each episode explores the real-world decisions, constraints, and tradeoffs behind building systems that help students become more confident readers.