Early Literacy & Reading Readiness Grant

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Ohio's Early Literacy & Reading Readiness Grant

Ohio House Bill 487 provides an opportunity for districts and community schools to pursue funding from $13,000,000 in competitive grant funding allocated to design and implement a grades K-3 early literacy and reading intervention concept that assists students in improving and enhancing their reading development and prepares them to read at grade level by the end of grade three. The Early Literacy and Reading Readiness Competitive Grant is currently available through the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP).

Professional Development from the Center for Literacy: A Crucial Piece of a Sustainable Plan

Web-Based and Blended Graduate Level Professional Learning Resources

Reading well by third grade is a crucial developmental milestone in a child’s educational experience. The foundation for developing comprehensive systems of support for all learners begins with providing quality curriculum, instruction, and assessments. Featuring some of the country’s top researchers and practitioners The Center for Literacy offers graduate-level face-to-face and web-based courses in reading instruction and assessment for PreK-3 teachers.

The Center for Literacy at The University of Akron offers a set of blended learning tools that help districts in developing comprehensive literacy programs and practices that lead to increased student achievement at all levels. Our high-quality professional development is Common Core aligned and provides a deep immersion into Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR).

Email us at centerforliteracy@uakron.edu to see how the Center for Literacy can help you meet the requirements of Ohio's Third Grade Reading Guarantee.

Single Online Workshop

Participants in our online workshops interact several times a week over a continuous four to eight week period within a research-based, online professional learning community. Guided by an experienced, reading endorsed facilitator, educators complete bite-sized tasks structured to encourage collaboration. Our online workshops are designed to provide a job-embedded experience in 21st teaching and learning AND a focus on Common Core aligned content.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • One (1) online workshop
  • Up to 30 teachers
  • Individuals may purchase graduate credit for an additional fee of $150 per credit hour. Participants may earn one (1) semester hour of graduate credit for each online workshop in which they complete.

Option 1

School-Based Blended Workshop Series

In our school-based blended workshop series, we bring the experts to you! Participants meet face-to-face at a facility in your district for a portion of the time and follow that up by interacting over a continuous four to eight week period within an online professional learning community. Guided by an experienced, reading endorsed workshop facilitator, educators complete bite-sized tasks in face-to-face and online learning experiences that are structured to encourage collaboration. Our blended workshops are carefully scaffolded to ensure that teachers who may not be the most experienced with online learning are successful.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Two (2) blended workshops
  • Up to 30 teachers
  • Individuals may purchase graduate credit for an additional fee of $150 per credit hour. Participants may earn one (1) semester hour of graduate credit for each blended workshop in which they complete.

Option 3

School Embedded Literacy Coaching Services

The benefits of coaching and mentoring models are well documented. It is widely accepted that student outcomes are directly related to the level of teacher expertise. Literacy Coaching using a balance of both theory and practice can facilitate shifts in knowledge and understanding, which translate into more effective pedagogical practice.

They will model strategies, help you look at student work, and they will help you find resources to support the work your teachers are doing with students.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 1 dedicated, school-embedded literacy coach
  • Coach supports up to 6 teachers
  • 440 hours of onsite coaching

Option 5

Campus-Based Blended Workshop Series

In a different model from the traditional workshop, participants in our blended workshops meet face-to-face on UA campus for a portion of the time and follow that up by interacting over a continuous four to eight week period within an online professional learning community. Guided by an experienced, reading endorsed workshop facilitator, educators complete bite-sized tasks in face-to-face and online learning experiences that are structured to encourage collaboration. Our blended workshops are carefully scaffolded to ensure that teachers who may not be the most experienced with online learning are successful.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Three (3) blended workshops
  • Up to 30 teachers
  • Individuals may purchase graduate credit for an additional fee of $150 per credit hour. Participants may earn one (1) semester hour of graduate credit for each blended workshop in which they complete.

Option 2

Camp Digi-Lit Summer Reading Camp

Camp Digi-Lit, held on the campus of The University of Akron, is an educational summer day-camp program designed to nurture, encourage, and inspire future generations of readers, writers, learners, and thinkers. This camp is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of literacy and technology in youth from kindergarten to third grade.

Camp Digi-Lit offers students who have been identified as Not On-Track opportunities to advance and improve their reading skills. During the Camp Digi-Lit experience, high quality reading instruction is provided in order for students to achieve the goal of reading on grade level.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 1 week summer day camp
  • Up to 20 students

Option 4