Ideal Elementary recognizes that early childhood literacy skills are key to lifelong achievement, both in school and in the workforce.
At Ideal Elementary, there is a school-wide focus on integrating literacy into all academic and enrichment programs. Specialized literacy coaches are available to collaborate with classroom teachers to expand their ability to teach literacy through presentations about literacy education, teacher study groups, and grade-level team meetings. Literacy coaches also support individual teachers as they refine their instructional and assessment skills in literacy. (updated 3/24/11)
If needed, one-to-one student literacy tutoring by reading specialists is available to supplement existing classroom time. Sessions are structured with lesson plans created by reading specialists and may be provided by literacy specialists, expert classroom teachers, or highly-trained and supervised volunteer tutors.
References
Early Warning! Why reading by the End of Third Grade Matters. Kids Count Special Report, Annie E. Casey Foundation, (2010). Also, Grade Level Reading Indicators by State.
L’Allier, S., Elish-Piper, L., & Bean, R. M. (2010). What Matters for Elementary Literacy Coaching? Guiding Principles for Instructional Improvement and Student Achievement. Reading Teacher, 63(7), 544-554.
Vukelich, C. (2004). In search of highly qualified early childhood classroom literacy teachers. Reading Teacher, 58(1), 95-100.