The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announces the opportunity for schools to participate in the Arkansas Reading First Literacy Coaching Model and to train a school employee to serve as a full-time literacy coach.
The Arkansas Reading First Literacy Coaching Model is designed to assist schools in the implementation of a scientifically based reading program that is consistent with the Guidelines of Reading First and the National Reading Panel Report. A literacy coach is a site-based employee who works full time with the kindergarten through third grade 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 framework, and maintain data on student performance.
Participation in the Arkansas Reading First Literacy Coaching Model requires:
*Administrator participation in an orientation of the coaching model project and four follow-up sessions during the school year;
*Qualified personnel to participate in the literacy coach training;
*Participation of the literacy coach trainee in approximately 40 days of intensive training provided by the ADE and Arkansas Reading First during the first year of implementation and approximately 12 days the second year;
*Willingness to implement the model with full compliance of program assurances;
*Full staff participation in comprehensive literacy instruction (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas (ELLA) for teachers of grades K-1 and Effective Literacy for teachers of grades 2-4 or the Research and Assessment Update Training if ELLA or Effective Literacy have been completed previously);
*Provision of classroom materials for the full implementation of the model.
Attached is complete information concerning school and personnel requirements for participation in the training. Training will be provided regionally and is scheduled to begin late in the summer of 2004. The ADE will provide training and professional texts at no cost to schools. Schools will be responsible for all other expenses including travel, salaries, and materials. Priority will be given to schools in Title I school improvement. Interested school districts must complete the attached application and commitment forms and return by June 4, 2004 to:
Arkansas Reading First
Attn: Literacy Coaching
Arkansas Department of Education
#4 Capitol Mall, Room 401B
Little Rock, AR 72201