Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-103) and index.
Contents:
Why our kids aren't learning to read. The insiders' perspective : excuses and explanations from the trenches. On the outside looking in : what the critics charge is wrong with reading instruction. The experts check in : researchers, consultants, professors, and other ivory tower types. What's a principal to do? -- The great debate : phonics vs. whole language. The reading instruction glossary : key words to know. The reading wars : a crash course in history. Why are we divided? Where do you stand? How can you make sense of this debate? Who can you believe? What's a principal to do? -- What do you need to make it happen? Principals do make a difference : instructional leadership. You can't do it all on your own : shared decision making. Look before you leap : planning for change. Teachers make a difference too : instructional effectiveness. Get mom and dad on your side : parental involvement. Know your ABC's : articulated, balanced curriculum. What get's measured gets done : assessment and accountability. Take your time : the 5-year plan. The road to reading improvement : the big ideas. What else will it take? -- The essential learnings : what students need to know in grades K-8. Direct systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and knowledge acquisition in a print-rich environment. Immersion in challenging and excellent material : reading by doing. Instruction in vocabulary, comprehension, and cognitive strategies. What else do you need? -- Remedial reading : what to do when kids can't read. HOTS (higher order thinking skills). Lindamood-Bell learning processes. Open court reading series. Orton family of phonics methods. Phono-graphix. Reading Mastery-DISTAR. Reading recovery. Success for all. What's a principal to do? -- Thirty-plus things you can do tomorrow to raise reading achievement. Conclusion.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.