With the significant infusion of dollars now available to both states and school districts, we have a unique opportunity to finally reduce high rates of illiteracy, particularly in populations which have been traditionally underserved by an inequitable system of education. Instead of a third of all children entering 4th grade still unable to read…

This case study report calls on school-community leaders to consider a made-in-Canada approach that raises literacy rates, prevents early school leaving and breathes life back into small towns. This step-by-step guidebook provides a practical toolkit and worksheets based on the concrete experiences of the "L'ÉcoRéussite" program, which…

Presents suggestions for collaboration between librarians and day care providers, such as resource sharing, adult literacy referrals, publications, and scheduled communication to help families engage in literacy activities. Lists 25 ideas for family literacy-building, such as family bookmaking, art projects, and family book bingo. (JKP)

Co-author of the popular titles "Booktalking Bonanza" and "The Early Literacy Kit", Betsy Diamant-Cohen brings together 18 examples of successful outreach partnerships that children's librarians and administrators can adapt to their own situations. Contributors from the U.S and Canada explain how they partnered with schools,…

This book promotes a library-based curriculum for teaching reading and suggests a wide variety of books to use with new readers. It provides an outline of basic skills that literacy students must master to become good readers. It also suggests numerous skill-building activities for teachers to develop using the words and ideas derived from…

This booklet is one of eight developed both as resource guides to assist Wisconsin public schools in offering quality reading instruction and as models for improvement where there is a need for change. This first booklet is an overview of the Right to Read effort at the national, state, and local levels. In addition to background material, it…

Noting that illiteracy in the workplace is currently a major problem for American businesses and corporations, this booklet, developed by the National Commission for Employment Policy and Project Literacy U.S., suggests ways in which companies can help their workers become literate. The booklet first outlines the extent of the problem of…

Created by the Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) organization to combat adult illiteracy, this guide offers suggestions for enhancing local adult literacy programs or establishing new ones. Following an introduction to the problem of illiteracy and a call for a national effort to alleviate it, the guide focuses on how to begin a literacy program,…

The "Book Buddies" manual and "Emergent Reader" training videos provide comprehensive and easy-to-implement guidelines for setting up and running a successful tutorial program in the early grades. Portraying the "Book Buddies" model in practice, this 44-minute videotape, entitled "Emergent Reader--Mid-Year"…

Designed to be a resource guide for parents, teachers, and policymakers, this book traces the historical development of family literacy and provides an overview of the field in the United States. It includes discussions of more than 100 sources about family literacy. The book presents specific information about particular family literacy programs…

This book, intended as a resource for educators, administrators, policymakers, and parents concerned about how to successfully teach children to read, points the way to implementing the best research-based practices in adopting reading materials, training teachers, and providing the necessary school leadership. Studies of effective teaching…

In this paper, I describe characteristics of programs developed for adolescents who are struggling with literacy. The paper references both a chart I developed to compare and contrast those characteristics and a review guide I created to help schools make principled decisions when choosing programs for use with their students. The chart and the…

This book explains the methodologies, techniques, strategies, and knowledge base necessary to achieve a balanced reading program. The book's contributors define the key elements in a balanced reading program and provide guidelines for implementing a balanced instructional program in the classroom. Following an introduction which addresses…

Intended for teachers, this book on beginning literacy examines questions and solutions concerning literacy theories and practices. Chapter 1, "An Open Approach to Literacy," explores some assumptions about literacy and characteristics of a model for language learning. Chapter 2 presents historical viewpoints and current practices,…

Developed for the America Reads Challenge Read*Write*Now! program, this tip sheet presents ideas and suggestions for strengthening efforts to help improve children's reading through community reading programs designed to keep children reading during the summer and after school. The tip sheet discusses building partnerships, recruiting volunteers,…