Why is reading and learning to read so important?  Why is there a reading gap?  Why aren’t some kids successful readers by 3rd grade?

*I have had lots of opportunity to teach and observe teachers working with struggling readers to know that it is possible for these kids to become successful readers.  When we know the student and the learning context, know why the learning is breaking down (through careful observation, collaborative thinking and effort, and formative assessment), know which instructional strategies and materials to use, engage the student is a learning partnership, and schedule enough time to work…..we can do it.

*There is significant research out there to document the achievement gap and the reasons for the achievement gap—for example:

http://www.sterncenter.org/assets/files/Powerpoints/Reid_Lyon_Blueprint_PowerPoint.pdf

See Reid Lyon’s larger body of work:  http://www.childrenofthecode.org/interviews/lyon.htm

See the work of William Teale, expert on early literacy and the achievement gap

https://www.academia.edu/3550552/What_do_children_need_to_succeed_in_early_literacy-And_beyond

*There are screening and formative assessment tools to keep tract of children’s early literacy progress:  for example

Early LiteracyAssessment Systems:  Essential Elements

by Jacqueline Jones

Copies can also be downloaded from:  www.ets.org/research/pic

Copyright © 2003 by EducationalTesting Service.

Early Reading Assessment: A Guiding Tool for Instruction (Reading Rockets)

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/14510

And so?  So, how do we make sure we are tracking children’s language/literacy/learning progress from age 2 to grade 2?  Whose responsibility is it?  How do we do it?