Big Ideas in Beginning Reading

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The goal of all children reading proficiently and imaginatively at grade level by the end of third grade is well within reach. This website is designed to provide information and technology to teachers, administrators, and parents across the country. With determination, vigor, and reliance on validated research, the goal of all children reading by the end of third grade will be reached.

Schoolwide Beginning Reading Model

This graphic represents the critical dimensions of the Schoolwide Beginning Reading Model: The top of the triangle represents differentiated and individualized instruction for each student through the use of ongoing progress monitoring and instructional adjustments. The base of the triangle represents a schoolwide framework or infrastructure that supports comprehensive and coordinated reading goals, assessment and instruction for all students.

The Schoolwide Model is designed to take what we know from scientifically-based reading research and translate it into effective reading practices. The overall goal of the Schoolwide Model is to:

"Build the capacity, communication, and commitment to ensure that all children are readers by Grade 3".

• Building capacity means creating the infrastructure and systems schoolwide that can support and sustain effective reading practices for all students.
• Building communication means developing a common language surrounding beginning reading and establishing channels of communication schoolwide, among teachers and administrators, and across classrooms and grades.
• Building commitment means developing a consensus that beginning reading is the top priority schoolwide and dedicating the resources necessary to meet the goal of ensuring that all children are readers by grade 3.