History of OnPoint

OnPoint was born out of Brian Kissman’s passion for addressing the literacy crisis in our country. He believes that all students can and must learn to be great readers, writers, conversationalists, and presenters.

Five years of research and tireless effort led to a contract proposed, negotiated, and won with Grand Valley State University’s Charter Schools Office to implement the OnPoint program in three of its charter schools.

OnPoint was formally launched in January, 2006. Since then, Brian Kissman has provided teacher training in best practices of literacy, formative assessments, purpose-designed learning environments, and professional learning community collaboration. School administrators are trained in the same areas, with a focus on accountability and the best practice of “walk abouts.” The focus has been to support teachers to see learning through the “lens of literacy.”

As president and learning consultant, Brian Kissman wrote the OnPoint teacher training program, a balanced literacy curriculum, and has authored two books that frame the OnPoint Super Standards for Literacy Approach.

Most importantly, OnPoint has seen the teachers it has trained, coached, and mentored grow their teacher capacity and sense of efficacy. And as a result, watched their students grow a passion for learning.