The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announces the opportunity for schools to participate in the Arkansas Literacy Coaching Model and to receive funding to train a school employee to serve full-time as a literacy coach.
The Arkansas Literacy Coaching Model is based on research on school reform and includes important principles of school change as outlined by Doug Reeves (1997). In order to promote systemic change, it is critical that teachers are supported in the change process. A literacy coach is a site-based employee who works full-time with a school staff providing onsite professional development, technical assistance, and support to teachers as they implement a comprehensive school reform model. The primary responsibilities of the literacy coach are to demonstrate exemplary classroom literacy practices, observe and coach teachers, provide sustained mentoring to classroom teachers, plan and conduct professional literacy team meetings, provide workshops on the literacy frameworks and maintain data on student performance.
Depending on the number of qualifying school districts who choose to participate, training expenses up to approximately $10,000 will be funded by the ADE. Grant funds will provide for professional materials, lodging and travel expenses, graduate level training and materials to establish a model classroom.
Participation in the Arkansas Literacy Coaching Model requires the following minimum criteria:
>School commitment to maintain the literacy coach position and project for three years.
>Administrator participation in an orientation of the coaching model project and four follow-up sessions during the school year on school reform and balanced literacy.
>Qualified personnel to serve as a literacy coach and participate in training.
>Participation of the literacy coach trainee in nine weeks of graduate level work provided in two- and three-week intervals scheduled throughout the initial year of implementation. The training will be held at the UALR Early Literacy Training Center in Little Rock. In subsequent years, the literacy coach will attend eight days of professional development in one-day intervals over the school year.
>Full implementation of Reading Recovery Program in the participating school and staff participation in balanced literacy instruction (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas [ELLA] and EFFECTIVE LITERACY for Grades 2-4).
>Willingness to implement the model with full compliance of program assurances.
Attached is complete information concerning school and personnel requirements for participation in the training. Interested school districts must complete the attached application and commitment forms and return to the following:
Krista Underwood, Reading Program Manager
Arkansas Department of Education
K-12 Literacy Unit, Room 401-B
#4 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-682-4470