This practice brief provides educators with current research findings and evidence-based, high quality, instructional mathematics' practices from the Institute of Education Sciences' Practice Guide for teaching English learners (ELs) academic content, and highlights instructional practices used to teach ELs according to the National Academies of…

The success of a school greatly depends on the ability of its leaders to communicate effectively. In "Connecting Through Leadership," author Jasmine K. Kullar details how to verbally and nonverbally inspire, motivate, and connect with every member of a school community, from teachers to students to parents. The book includes questions…

This toolkit is for school districts that are considering using text messaging to improve attendance. Text messaging can reach large numbers of parents with minimal cost. This toolkit is intended to enable district leaders and staff to: (1) Consider goals and priorities for using text messaging to communicate with parents about student absences;…

The grades K-2 Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) Reading Assessment (FRA) consists of computer-adaptive alphabetic and oral language screening tasks that provide a Probability of Literacy Success (PLS) linked to grade-level performance (i.e., the 40th percentile) on the word reading (in kindergarten) or reading comprehension (in grades…

The Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) Reading Assessment (FRA) consists of computer-adaptive reading comprehension and oral language screening tasks that provide measures to track growth over time, as well as a Probability of Literacy Success (PLS) linked to grade-level performance (i.e., the 50th percentile) on the reading comprehension…

The current spelling of words in English is so lacking in consistency that the time is ripe for the adoption of an alphabet that embodies some semblance of phonetics. This paper proposes a new alphabet for English that uses the English (Roman) letters as elements so that current type and typewriters can still be used. Furthermore, allowance is…

Introduces two systems that increase the information density of textual presentation by reconsidering text as pictures, expanding the range of written expression. Notes that these systems are implemented as computer programs, active filters that represent textual information graphically. (SR)

The operating manual for the Digicassette (or Portable Braille Recorder--PBR), an electronic braille reading and writing machine and an audiotape recorder which is compact and easy to carry around, is presented. Following a preface and an introduction are sections which address the following topics: orientation to parts and functions of the…

Coaching is the central activity in the "game" of teaching, and it is an activity that can have a lifetime effect on language learners. This book presents a "coaching approach" to instruction in written language--an approach that is eclectic, pragmatic, synthetic. The approach in the book centers on finding balance--ways of…

Provides teachers with an understanding of how sighted children develop concepts about print and how blind children develop concepts about braille. Prereading activities designed to extend young children's concepts about print are adapted for blind children. (HTH)

Discusses the traps which catch speakers of nonstandard dialect when it comes to learning to read. Lists core understandings that teachers of pre- and inservice teachers can promote to make learning a second dialect--written language--an easy and natural cognitive task. (SR)

Traces social change and evolution of the American writing curriculum. Argues that technology alone is not responsible for an increasingly oral approach to written language. Discusses emergent dimensions of email that alter communication access, social interaction, and response. (PA)

Use of reading and writing to enhance oral communication skills requires analysis of the individual's performance; understanding of the interaction among auditory, oral, and written language disorders; integration of speech-language and educational services; and attention to skills of phonemic discrimination, auditory verbal comprehension, word…

An analytic scoring system developed to identify and quantify specific formal features of written language is described. Under the categories of Conventions, Complexity, Fluency, and Organization, the system provides guidelines for determining correct and nonconforming structures and usage, describing clause construction and length, classifying…

The article presents an approach to informal assessment of written expression which allows the teacher to determine the skills acquired and correctly used by the student, the skills needing remediation, and the skills to be introduced. For related information see EC 132 758-767. (Author)