1. Reading First Reading First M.W. Cuyler Elementary School September 17, 2004

2. Reading First A Federal Initiative –State Support professional development funding –Regional Support professional development coaching –Local Support staffing and schedule coaching

3. How did we get this grant? Eligible due to socio-economic level of district. Team approach to writing grant 48 awarded throughout NYS

4. 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

5. What is Reading First? National Reading Panel Scientifically Based Reading Research »Data-driven Instruction »SBRR Strategies and Programs »Flexible Grouping “Reading is rocket science!”

6. What is Reading First? Instruction concentrated in 5 Areas –Phonemic Awareness –Phonics –Fluency –Vocabulary –Comprehension

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. LINKS www.edreform.com Parent Power Newsletter – provides information on latest educational issues

11. “When children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond.”