Characteristics of Outstanding Literacy Programs

Patty, Maschoff, and Ransom (1996) identify the following characteristics of outstanding literacy programs:

• "The reading program is founded upon strong instructional leadership and a shared reading program vision.

• Active parental participation at home and at school supports the reading program.

• A strong sense of volunteerism attracts community people into the school to help.

• The literature-based program is focused on text understanding (i.e., comprehension).

• Reading across the curriculum is an important part of the program.

• Accelerated word knowledge is based on metacognitive learning processes.

• In this program, writing supports reading comprehension, and reading helps writing.

• Writing across the curriculum is a significant component of this literacy program.

• A strong library or media center with a capable librarian is a foundation of the program.

• Time is set aside during each school day for recreational or enrichment reading.

• Remedial, intervention, and accelerated programs support basic reading.

• Both program and learner assessments are based on multiple measures.

• An effective, self-renewing staff development effort is an important program foundation." (p. 7)

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