Post on 04-Jan-2016
Reading First
• A Federal Initiative– State Support
• professional development
• funding
– Regional Support• professional development
• coaching
– Local Support• staffing and schedule
• coaching
How did we get this grant?
• Eligible due to socio-economic level of district.• Team approach to writing grant• 48 awarded throughout NYS
How does our school benefit?
• Funding for additional reading staff– allows for smaller instructional groups
• Funding for extensive purchase of materials– all researched and proven to be effective
• Funding for Professional Development– throughout summer
– on-going throughout school year
What is Reading First?
• National Reading Panel• Scientifically Based Reading Research
» Data-driven Instruction» SBRR Strategies and Programs» Flexible Grouping
“Reading is rocket science!”
What is Reading First?
• Instruction concentrated in 5 Areas– Phonemic Awareness
– Phonics
– Fluency
– Vocabulary
– Comprehension
What does this look like?
• More time devoted to reading in every K-3 classroom during an “Uninterrupted” 90 minute Literacy Block.
• More opportunities for instruction to occur in small groups. ie. Intervention groups, K-3.
• More opportunities for individualized instruction.
How are we measuring success?
• On-going assessments– Screening
» DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
» PPVT (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test)
» WJ III (Woodcock Johnson – test of comprehension)
– Progress Monitoring» DIBELS
– Diagnostic» varies depending on individual need
What does testing tell us?
• Monitors strengths and needs of children• Allows us to “prescribe” a program for
individual improvement• Three levels of instruction
– Benchmark• low/no risk
– Strategic• some risk
– Intensive• at risk