Hanson Initiative for Language and Literacy (HILL)

Creating Sustainable Literacy Programs

The Hanson Initiative for Language & Literacy (HILL) operates within the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Founded in January 2001, the Hanson Initiative for Language & Literacy was formed to address the gap that exists in thousands of schools: the inability of teachers to adequately teach the literacy skills children need to read and write.

The HILL has worked to address this gap by developing a school reform model based on the science of reading research. The HILL’s focus has evolved to address the literacy needs evident within districts and across the state of Massachusetts. The HILL is currently the professional development provider for the Massachusetts Reading First and Boston Public Schools’ Early Reading First initiatives working with over 130 schools in Massachusetts and across the nation.

» To learn more, visit the Hanson Initiative's website.

Sandra D. Jones, PhD, Director

In addition to her operational responsibilities as Director of the Hanson Initiative for Language & Literacy (HILL), Dr. Jones is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Currently, she is the Professional Development Coordinator for the Department of Education’s Massachusetts Reading First Plan. Dr. Jones is responsible for training the statewide regional Implementation Facilitators and consults to the Massachusetts Department of Education's Office of Reading and provides statewide professional development to the 90 Reading First schools. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Reading Leadership Team.

Previously, Dr. Jones was the Academic Dean at The Carroll School, a nationally recognized school for children with language-based learning disabilities and the Director of The Carroll Center for Teaching and Learning. She was also a middle school principal for eight years, a curriculum professional development trainer for six years, and a classroom teacher for twelve years.

Dr. Jones is a co-founding faculty member and founding director of the HILL and actively works with the HILL’s 130 partner schools to improve literacy in their schools. Dr. Jones has been a literacy and school-wide improvement consultant for the past 30 years.

Dr. Jones received a PhD in Special Education and Administration from the University of Arizona, a MS in Education of the Deaf, and a BS in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin.