Reading/literacy is one of the subject areas selected for primary emphasis in the NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress requirements for schools and districts. RBS' approach to reading/literacy includes the following major features: standards-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment; current research on language development and thinking; clinical experiences; substantial time for planning and professional development; advanced reading diagnosis and remediation techniques; and evidence-based programs. Resources that embody RBS' philosophy on school improvement and these features are presented in this section.
Content and Teaching Standards
The IRA Web site provides comprehensive information on reading/literacy standards. The full text of Standards for Reading Professionals is available on this portion of the Web site.
This compendium of content standards created by McREL was designed for curriculum developers and teachers involved in standards development or revision. Click on Language Arts to see the information on reading/literacy standards, and Lesson Plans to see specific classroom activities designed to address reading/literacy standards.
NBPTS has developed standards in 27 fields, including reading. All NBPTS standards are based on the Board's five core propositions for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The standards also serve as the basis for NBPTS certification. The reading/literacy standards may be found at the NBPTS Web site.
Assessment
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "the Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Since 1969, assessments have been conducted periodically in eight subject areas, including reading. Click on reading.
PISA assesses the degree to which 15-year-old students near the end of compulsory education have acquired some of the knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in society, including reading literacy. Click on What PISA Assesses, then Reading Literacy.
This summary of different types of assessment that can be used for measuring reading skills helps teachers better understand how single skills can be assessed by multiple measures. The description of the various assessment techniques may also help teachers to design their own classroom assessments and better understand the district assessments.
Learning Activities and Instructional Practices
The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is the only national nonprofit organization devoted solely to the education and leadership development of Puerto Rican and other Latino youth. The Web site provides curriculum resources and links to many other organizations. Click on Aspira's Reading Institute.
This extensive Web site hosted by the U.S. Department of Education offers links to free resources in a range of subject areas. To access the reading resources, which are further delineated by sub-topic areas, click on Language arts.
Based on a compendium of reading content standards created by McREL, resources are provided to help implement standards in the classroom. Click on Lesson Plans, then Language Arts to see specific classroom activities designed to address reading/literacy standards.
This Web site contains diverse materials, announcements and electronic communications designed for teachers. This section is the Lesson Bank; click on Reading/Writing, Literature, Language, or a grade level.
The ED site contains many resources for teachers, parents, administrators, and students. Click on Reading for a selection on curriculum, research, and tips on practices.
Policy Environment
The IRA convened this commission, which produced the significant report, Prepared to Make a Difference. A summary and the full text of this report are available on the Web.
This section of the ED Web site describes the reading background for NCLB and recommended steps for improvement.
On an ongoing basis, the WWC collects, screens, and identifies studies of the effectiveness of educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies). WWC reviews the studies that have the strongest design and reports on the strengths and weaknesses of those studies against the WWC Evidence Standards to disseminate the best scientific evidence available. Type Reading in the search box and scan for reading/literacy entries that will define relevant issue and interest areas.
Professional Associations and Resources