1. Children’s Reading Foundation of Mid-Cumberland Friday, May 6, 2016 Dr. Candice McQueen, Commissioner of Education

2. The Current Reading Landscape in Tennessee

3.  Over the past several years, English language arts performance in grades 3-5 has remained stagnant or declined.  Historically underserved subgroups are struggling even more: –less than one-quarter of English language learners and students with disabilities are proficient or above in reading on the third grade TCAP assessment.  For many students, early intervention is a key element of later outcomes. Where are we now? 3

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5. 5 We improved our ranking among states in grade 8 reading but went backward in grade 4 reading. Tennessee still ranks in the bottom half of all states on the Nation’s Report Card or NAEP in grades 4 and 8 reading. NAEP Reading

6. 6 Importance of Third Grade Reading  Third grade is a pivotal marker in the academic trajectory of a student.  National data show children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times less likely than their peers to graduate high school by age 19.  By the end of third grade, only 43 percent of students in Tennessee are proficient in reading.

8. 8 Read to be Ready

9. Pillars of Read to be Ready 9 Early Literacy Matters But it’s never too late Reading is more than just “sounding out” words Teacher knowledge and practice are critical It takes a community

10. Tennessee’s Commitment

11. 1. Statewide Model of Literacy Coaching 11 Reading Coach Consultants in state CORE offices deliver high-quality training to district coaches District-level Read to be Ready Coaches coach PreK-3 reading teachers PreK-3 teachers increase their knowledge of core instruction and intervention strategies Reading outcomes for students across the state improve StateDistrictSchoolStudents

12. 2. Improve Literacy Instruction in Educator Prep Programs 12 Reading Standards Rewrite the K-12 reading standards for EPPs Certification Review the state’s reading certification exams (PRAXIS) Implement a statewide performance assessment for reading teachers Reporting Highlight teacher preparation outcomes in ELA on the Teacher Preparation Report Card Research, Data & Training Provide statewide reading research, data, and training opportunities to EPP faculty

13.  A kindergarten entry screener (KES) is a tool to measure children’s preparation and readiness for kindergarten.  KES will provide valuable early information to tailor instruction and early intervention.  Tennessee will pilot a new KES in fall 2016. It will be used statewide in fall 2017. 3. Kindergarten Entry Screener 13

14. 4. Networked Improvement Communities 14 TDOE Hub UC CORE Hub East CORE Hub District Problem of Practice: Increase 3 rd grade reading proficiency

15.  The department is turning its partnership with Vanderbilt into a research alliance that will be a central actor in discussions of state policy.  TERA’s research agenda will be built from our state’s strategic plan and will focus in part on improving elementary reading. 5. Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) 15