Washoe CountyNorthern Nevada Reading First ConsortiumWashoe County School District is supporting Reading First activities in three schools:
Demographics:Greenbrae, Alice Smith, and Grace Warner elementary schools each have the distinction of high poverty rates, inadequate student achievement and low, or non-existent, grant funding levels. For the most part, this is because they do not qualify for Title I federal funding available only to those schools with over 60% of their student population identified as low-income. These schools also performed well enough not to qualify for NERA “school-in-need-of-improvement” funding, but not well enough, not to warrant a look at program modifications and supplemental funding. The three schools each represent distinct types of at-risk neighborhoods in the Reno/Sparks area. For example, Greenbrae has a very high Limited English Proficiency (LEP) population compared to other schools while Grace Warner serves the “Fourth Street Corridor” which consists of a mostly homeless/transient population and Alice Smith has a fairly high special education population. None of the three schools have more than 65% in any race or ethnicity, translating to a diverse, but balanced cultural atmosphere. In addition, it is important to note that while approximately one in four students from these schools participate in special programs (such as special education or English as a Second Language), less than one percent are part of the “Gifted and Talented” Program. Teacher characteristics at these schools resemble the general characteristics of WCSD teachers, which is to say that they are well educated (over half have Master’s degrees), and experienced, while not yet “over experienced” enough that they still are excited about reaching goals. Each of the schools have made some progress on their school goals in reading during the last two years, corresponding to a stronger focus on professional development in assessment and standards. Schools to be served:The process for selecting schools that the district felt would best benefit from Reading First assistance involved several consultations among both on-site school personnel (teachers and administrators) and the Reading First Advisory Team. As required, the Advisory Teams consisted of: a district literacy curriculum coordinator, a representative of the state NELIP team, principals with teaching experience in K-3, an area superintendent, a UCCSN based literacy experts, community/business partners, parents from eligible elementary schools, a school board member, an NSEA affiliate officer, and a master, practicing K-3 classroom teacher. According to Reading First criteria, eligible schools must: 1) have at least 15% of the students from families with incomes below the poverty line; 2) be among schools served by the district with the highest percentages or numbers of students in K-3 reading below grade level; and 3) be among schools in the district that receive the least amount of current resource allocations. The first step in this process was to collect data on poverty, literacy achievement, and resource allocation for each elementary school in the district. This information was then analyzed and schools ranked according to the three criteria above. Commitment to Essential Elements and Time for Literacy Instruction:Washoe County School District instructional tables require a minimum of 600 minutes per week in language arts instruction in the primary grades. During the 2002-2003 year, WCSD also implemented an additional requirement that all schools create a 90-minute block each day for grades 1-3 of uninterrupted reading instruction. Kindergarten sessions (which are half-day only) are required to include an uninterrupted 60-minute block for literacy. As based in the district’s literacy plan, instruction must include the following components: phonemic awareness, systematic phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing instruction. Each targeted school will be relinquishing the district’s basal reading program and be choosing a Reading First program that adheres to strict scientifically based criteria for improved student outcomes that includes: phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Instructional Activities:Washoe County School District Reading First instructional activities will include both explicit and systematic strategies, a coordinated sequence, alignment with instructional materials, and ample practice opportunities. Teachers will receive the support necessary to accomplish this by:
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