A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Action Steps for Elementary School Educators

Teachers, principals, superintendents, and other school personnel have a direct impact on student reading gains. In addition to local initiatives, educators and administrators can consider the following:

• As early as possible, assess each child. s developing reading ability and determine appropriate interventions.

• Support high-quality professional development for teachers in research-based instruction and allow sufficient time for teachers to coach and support each other.

• Seek opportunities to consult with knowledgeable and experienced reading specialists to discuss school-wide strategies for literacy improvement on an ongoing basis.

• Implement research-based strategies to promote a school-wide focus on literacy, including allocating extended blocks of time to reading and writing in the early grades.

• Find ways to increase one-on-one reading between children and adults by recruiting volunteers or re-deploying staff members during the school day, after school, and during the summer.

• Develop relationships with community organizations and private industry for aid in offering high-quality professional development.

• Promote independent reading, at least 30 minutes a day, by providing students and parents with specific reading assignments, age-appropriate reading lists, and home assignments linked to class work that involve family members.

• Teach children whose first language is not English to read in their native language if instructional guides, learning materials, and locally available proficient teachers are available.

• Encourage parents to stay involved in their children. s education. Encourage open communication between home and school to enhance a child. s progress and success. Consider initiating a specific compact on reading between schools and families.

• Contact local libraries, literacy groups, houses of worship, businesses, and community members to provide at-risk children with high-quality, after-school, and summer learning opportunities that support and encourage literacy development.

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