The Literacy Program Evaluation Tool

To build a knowledge base about literacy, evaluation, and assessment to help improve your literacy program

Actions:

3. Find out what the local and state reading standards are in your area. To what extent does the school program meet these standards? In what ways might it be improved? For a list of literacy standards in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, click on the respective state.

4. Review all of the information you have about reading research and best practices.

Questions to consider:

Do you have a clear idea of what direction you will take with your literacy program?
Do you need more information to make your decision?

Questions to consider:

How can you use the principles of effective literacy assessment?
What can you do to integrate assessment and instruction in ways that support learning?
How can you ensure equity with alternative assessments, such as portfolios and performance assessments?
How can you use anecdotal records?

Outcome:

Through your research of reading and best practices, you should be able to define the issues you will need to address. You also should know how to effectively assess student learning and evaluate the school's reading program

Tools and Resources:

Step 2: Build a Knowledge Base

Purpose:

Actions:

Outcome:

Tools and Resources:



	Step 2: Build a Knowledge Base Purpose: To build a knowledge base about literacy, evaluation, and assessment to help improve your literacy program Actions: 1. Learn about current reading research and best practices. Questions to consider: What definition of reading will drive your literacy program? How can you combine research findings to provide a balanced reading instruction program? 2. Find examples of schools that have model literacy programs in your area. Questions to consider: What are the characteristics of outstanding literacy programs? What are the characteristics of literacy-rich classrooms? Have any of the schools in your area won awards because of their outstanding literacy programs? Have any of the schools in your area received large grants because of their program? What elements allowed these programs to receive an award? What elements of these programs could you integrate into your existing program? 3. Find out what the local and state reading standards are in your area. To what extent does the school program meet these standards? In what ways might it be improved? For a list of literacy standards in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, click on the respective state. 4. Review all of the information you have about reading research and best practices. Questions to consider: Do you have a clear idea of what direction you will take with your literacy program? Do you need more information to make your decision? 5. Learn about options for effective assessment and program evaluation. Questions to consider: How can you use the principles of effective literacy assessment? What can you do to integrate assessment and instruction in ways that support learning? How can you ensure equity with alternative assessments, such as portfolios and performance assessments? How can you use anecdotal records? Outcome: Through your research of reading and best practices, you should be able to define the issues you will need to address. You also should know how to effectively assess student learning and evaluate the school's reading program Tools and Resources: Questions for Reviewing School Literacy Programs Improving the Reading Achievement of America's Children: 10 Research-Based Principles State of the Art: Transforming Ideas for Teaching and Learning to Read Exemplary Reading Programs in Illinois Public Schools What Does Research Say About Reading? Educators: What You Can Do Start Early, Finish Strong: How to Help Every Child Become a Reader Contact Us Copyright © North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer and copyright information.