2014 Cradle to Career Network Convening

StriveTogetherOctober 16, 2014

Infusing Literacy Into Existing Summer

Programming

Developing an outcomes orientation among our partners does far more for our students than being troubleshooters or problem-solvers.

Shelby County, TN

33% entering kindergartners in 2013 were performing at grade level for early reading. 36% of students were reading proficiently by 3rd Grade.

35% of students were proficient in Math in 7th grade

11% of 11th graders were college ready according to the ACT benchmarks

45% students who graduated in 2013 did not enroll in a postsecondary opportunity.

~6,000 students left behind

The Early Literacy Challenge

*Note: ~3,000 fewer students in Spring data file

Collaborative Action Network Strategies

3rd Grade Reading Strategies

• Kindergarten readinessUsing data to inform pre-k instruction (e.g. lesson planning, coaching teachers, data analysis).

• Summer literacy interventionsImplemented 90-minute literacy interventions across multiple 3rd Grade Reading CAN partners.

• After-school reading interventionsWorking with 3rd Grade Reading CAN to adopt and implement evidence-based reading interventions.

• AttendanceWorking with Seeding Success Leadership Table to develop community wide attendance campaign, with a particular focus on pre-k – 3rd grade students.

• Physiological barriersPartnering with Southern College of Optometry to set up a temporary clinic in an elementary school to provide comprehensive examinations, including providing glasses, at all Achievement Schools in the Frayser neighborhood.

3rd Grade Reading Strategies

Convener: Literacy Mid-South

“Literacy Mid-South improves the quality of life in our community through education by providing literacy programs for adults and children as well as a network of collaborative projects with some of the Mid-South's finest educational organizations.  Our organization was formed to help people of all ages and backgrounds achieve the critical literacy skills they need to navigate the world.”

The Summer Intervention

The Focus & InterventionResource Scan• Available Structure• Human Capital• Within participating network members

• Content experts within the community

Phonics and Phonemic Awareness• Reading A-Z lessons• 45 minutes

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension• Engaged read-aloud• Appropriately leveled book• 45 minutes

Site Selection

• Community organizations recognized the need to align summer programming to complement school curriculum.

• Four CAN member organizations with 8 sites were the initial cohort

• Skill level differences mandated one member not participate leaving 3 members covering 6 sites

Implementation

What Worked:• Matching curriculum to skills • Engaging local experts in volunteer

training and curriculum design

What Didn’t:• Lessons were too rigid and centrally

dictated• Program structure, particularly reporting

and communication, was insufficient

Implementation

Things to change:• Involve participating members more in

program design• Use a granting system for resources• Create communication plan with

participating members in advance• Begin the planning process with

participating members much sooner

Finding Opportunities

Consider1. Where can you find opportunities to

initiate small changes or experiments?2. What types of organizations or agencies

make up your partnership and networks?3. In what activities are they engaged?4. What resources are available?5. How can these activities impact the

indicators you are tracking?

Take 3 minutes to think this through.

Then we’ll discuss.