School Consulting
Entire School Based Approach that meets the needs of all students
Dr. Epstein, in a classroom setting, can use the criteria and learning objective of any class, and meet them through the ECCO Map technique. After the teacher and the class work through the assignment together under Dr. Epstein’s instruction, the teacher will be able to teach the same lesson to the next class that walks through the door. The more kids are exposed throughout the school and system, the easier this process becomes.
Featured School Implementation
Westside Atlanta Charter School: Schoolwide ECCO Implementation
A two-year implementation of the ECCO framework expanded from classroom use to a Grades 3–8 schoolwide literacy initiative. The project included teacher coaching, classroom modeling, curriculum alignment, and ongoing implementation support.
A Schoolwide Approach
ECCO can be used with the learning objectives and assessment criteria already in place within a school or district. Teachers learn a process they can immediately apply in their own classrooms rather than adopting a separate writing curriculum.
As implementation expands across grade levels, students encounter a consistent approach to evidence gathering, analysis, and writing development. This shared structure helps create continuity from classroom to classroom and year to year.
A Schoolwide Literacy Framework
ECCO is designed to support analytical thinking across:
English/language arts
history and social studies
science
arts electives
AP and IB coursework
writing intervention programs
The strategies create consistency in how students organize information, develop ideas, and communicate understanding across disciplines.
School Consulting
Successful implementation requires more than a workshop. It takes demonstration, practice, and sustained teacher support.
Dr. Epstein works directly with schools to help establish the foundation for long-term success. Consulting engagements may include classroom modeling, teacher coaching, curriculum alignment, and schoolwide implementation planning.
Recent work has included designing and leading a Grades 3–8 schoolwide implementation of the ECCO framework at Westside Atlanta Charter School.
What School Leaders Are Saying
“Dr. Jon Epstein’s support as a writing coach has been transformative for Westside Atlanta Charter School. Through his guidance, our team successfully implemented the ECCO backward mapping process to ensure strong alignment across our Grades 3–8 writing program.
The results have been evident in student achievement. Our students demonstrated substantial growth in informational writing, strong growth in narrative writing, and measurable analytical growth in opinion/argumentative writing on the Georgia Milestones Assessment across Grades 3–8.
His partnership has helped create a more coherent, rigorous writing program that continues to benefit both educators and students.”
— Dr. Pamela Tanner, Head of School
Westside Atlanta Charter School