State Literacy Teams An opportunity for IRA state councils to become more involved

What is the state literacy team? Appropriations Bill for FY 2010 –$10 million for state literacy teams (councils) –Part of $250 million for striving readers for this fiscal year Idea from LEARN Act –Introduced in House and Senate November 2009 Replacement for other literacy programs

Appropriations Language Appropriations language is enacted – this is funded and happening. –(1) $10,000,000 for formula grants to States to support State Literacy teams, LEARN Act is proposal before Congress and is expected to be a part of ESEA reauthorization (NCLB).

Appropriations The remainder of the funds must be used for competitive awards to: State educational agencies, of which up to five percent may be used for State leadership activities and not less than 95 percent shall –be awarded as subgrants to local educational agencies or other entities, giving priority to such agencies or entities serving greater –numbers or percentages of disadvantaged –children. The conference agreement provides –that State subgrants must be allocated as follows: (1) at least 15 percent to serve children from birth through age five, (2) 40 percent to serve students in kindergarten through grade five, and (3) 40 percent to serve students in middle and high school, through grade 12, including an equitable distribution of funds between middle and high schools.

LEARN Act Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation –Introduced in Senate & House – November 2009 –Age 0 – Grade 12 –$2.35 billion $350 million Age 0 – K $1 billion grades K – 4 $1 billion grades

(iii) is composed of not less than 11 individuals; (iv) shall include (I) at least 3 individuals who have literacy expertise in one of each of the areas of (aa) birth through school entry, such as the State Head Start collaboration director; (bb) school entry through grade 5; and (cc) grade 6 to grade 12;

(II) a school principal; (III) a teacher with literacy expertise or an administrator with special education and literacy expertise; (IV) a teacher or administrator with expertise in teaching the English language to English language learners; (V) a representative from the State educational agency who oversees literacy initiatives; and

(V) a representative from the State educational agency who oversees literacy initiatives; and (VI) a representative from higher education who is actively involved in research, development, or teacher preparation in literacy instruction and intervention based on scientifically valid research; and

(v) may include (I) a literacy specialist serving in a school district within the State; (II) a literacy coach; (III) a library media specialist; (IV) a representative from the family literacy community; (V) a representative from a State child-serving agency with expertise in literacy instruction; (VI) a school counselor; (VII) a teacher of a core academic subject; (VIII) a special education administrator; 20 (IX) a college or university professor; 22 (X) a parent; 23 (XI) a business leader; 24 (XII) a representative from the 25 Governors office;

(XIII) a representative from the State board of education; (XIV) a representative from the State legislature; (XV) a nonprofit and community based organization providing literacy instruction and support; and (XVI) a representative from a school district superintendents office.

What should you be doing about this now? Take a serious read of the language? What does your council how to offer? –Are you ready to offer advise? –Do you know how you want to position yourselves? –What are the other opportunities?

What should you be doing in a few months? Making a list of who is likely to be involved at the State Education Agency level Who from your council should be in the lead What will be your key issues? Do you have any research to support your position? How will you negotiate with the other groups?

What are your three top issues Can your council list three top issues? Do you know what other professions will want out of this council? Do you know what you cant live with?

Gather Information What information will you need to enter this process? –What are your states NAEP scores? –What do your state tests tell policy makers about where the needs are? –Now – for the interesting parts How much money is spent on teacher ed in literacy? How many new teachers are you producing? How much money is spent on Prof Dev that counts? What are the specific needs of your state? ELL? Handicapped? Struggling Readers? College Ready?

Think as a unit Who do you want to be your face in any state literacy team? Who are your best people in a committee? –Dont think of some just because… –This isnt necessarily who is your brightest? –Or your most senior –But who listens well and responses They are going to have to work with a wide range of others You dont want to be seen as a special interest in literacy but rather as part of the glue from early ed to teacher ed

Write a one page memo What is important – top three items What groups should be natural allies? What would be three things we want to avoid (it is also important to know when you will walk away from any discussion).

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