The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announces the opportunity for schools to participate in the Arkansas Literacy Coaching Model and to train a school employee to serve as a full-time 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 on-site 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 framework and maintain data on student performance.
Depending on the number qualifying school districts who agree to participate, training expenses (approximately $10,000) will be funded by the ADE through the Early Literacy Training Center at UALR. Grant funds will provide graduate level training, professional materials, room, board and travel expenses, and materials to establish a model classroom.
Participation in the Arkansas Literacy Coaching Model requires the following:
-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 participate in the literacy coach training.
-Participation of the literacy coach trainee in eight weeks of graduate level work provided in two- and three-week intervals scheduled throughout the school year and held at the Early Literacy Training Center in Little Rock.
-Willingness to implement the model with full compliance of program assurances.
-Full implementation of Reading Recovery and staff participation in balanced literacy instruction (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas and EFFECTIVE LITERACY for Grades 2-4).
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
K-12 Literacy Unit
Arkansas Department of Education
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-4470