This model policy creates a comprehensive early literacy reading policy to ensure all students receive the support and interventions necessary to enter fourth grade as proficient readers.

This article describes the experiences of some of the many families of the deaf and hard of hearing children who come to Shared Reading Saturdays at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The program, which includes monthly gatherings and is coordinated by the NECC's Gallaudet University Regional Center, features deaf…

This article describes the development of a family literacy project that involves university preservice teachers creating literacy backpacks. The family literacy project was developed with two objectives: (1) to encourage parent/child participation in literacy activities; and (2) to give preservice teachers the opportunity to develop literacy…

This article is excerpted from "Giving Our Children a Fighting Chance: Poverty, Literacy, and the Development of Information Capital" by Susan B. Neuman and Donna C. Celano. Based on 21 studies conducted over 10 years in two neighborhoods, it offers a new lens on the achievement gap--and the need for both school and community solutions. The…

According to the author, one of her most important goals as a school librarian is to inspire her students to become lifelong lovers of reading. She recognizes that she cannot do this alone, and one of her most powerful partners is a parent. She can encourage a child to check out a book that may open their eyes to the wonders of literature, but if…

When Stephanie Smith became the principal of Seaford (Delaware) Middle School four years ago, she was told to accept the fact that the school would never be able to change its status as a school that needed to improve. She did not accept that. To improve performance levels, she set the expectations high. Her defiance paid off: the school is now…

Describes a summer reading program for 26 remedial readers in which each student left voice-mail messages on the school district's voice-mail system, either reading to the teacher for three minutes or summarizing a book chapter. Describes the teacher's responses and parental feedback and involvement. Notes that all students maintained their…

Describes the paired reading approach and discusses why it appears to be more successful than other home reading activities in which parents help their children learn to read. (SR)

Describes a variety of programs (Parents Sharing Books, Teachers Under Cover, Project SOAR, Family Connections through Reading, Technology Connections, Middle Grades Reading Network, Multicultural Awareness through Reading, Reading Excitement and Paperbacks, and Literacy Lunches) that helped create a community of readers at a middle school. (RS)

One purpose of this project was to develop positive attitudes and knowledge of evaluation philosophy and techniques at the local building level. A set of procedures and instruments was devised through the efforts of the project staff to train participants to plan and carry out activities appropriate for assessing the particular educational needs…

Describes St. Maria Goretti School's Home/School-Read/Discuss program in which parent, teacher, and child sign a contract for leisure reading. Both parent and child read and discuss the selected books. Responsibilities of each participant are listed on the sample reading contract provided. (SJL)

Classroom activities are suggested for improving the reading skills of elementary school students. Various approaches include tapes of children's reading, "real-life" reading, word-building connections, focus on sports, and parent involvement. (CJ)

Distinguishes between surface and meaningful parent involvement in reading. Describes six situations that meaningfully involve parents in school: (1) parent learning stations, (2) newspaper activities, (3) a parent talent bank, (4) "thin-book" reading from "cut up books," (5) parent activity sheets, and (6) a parent recreation room. (BJD)

The Reading Excellence program seeks to provide a cadre of trained volunteers to deliver tutorial assistance in reading to at-risk students during non-instructional times that will result in significant improvement in student performance on reading and language arts as measured by their age-appropriate standardized tests. This paper describes the…

Describes a program designed by educators in the Mukwanago, Wisconsin school system that used a variety of methods to encourage student reading, including a district-wide sustained silent reading day and a multiweek parent involvement program. (FL)