[MOSAIC] NYC Middle School Reading

Mon May 28 16:56:17 EDT 2007

Hi. That's about it. Lots of reading. Lots of knowlege of levels and targeted instruction.  I'm trying to create a "challenge" level so that I can increae my Level 4s -- or keep them there. 

Maureen Robins
Literacy Coach
NYC

-----Original Message-----
From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org on behalf of shelley at authenticeducation.org
Sent: Mon 5/28/2007 11:52 AM
To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] NYC Middle School Reading

Good Morning-
As a former literacy coach in a New York City school district serving 20,000 students with a range of disabilities I have focused most of my work in bringing the instructional framework of balanced literacy through the workshop model to our classrooms because in its highest form the workshop model represents the highest level of differentiation to meet the needs of all students.  This model also provides equity an access to authentic literacy education which is guaranteed under IDEA.  We have embraced the AMERICA'S CHOICE RAMP-UP to LITERACY program for our middle and high school students.  

Changes in promotional policy in the NYC schools has resulted in a significant RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION initiative which provides students with targeted literacy intervention in ADDITION to literacy instruction through the READERS and WRITERS workshop.  With specific programs to address specific targeted needs of students in word study and fluency building, programs that involve the use of technology ( a natural connection for middle school students) have proven to be quite successful as evidenced by the rise in 8th grade test scores.

Additionally, students who are identified as "promotion in doubt" are provided with an intense summer program across disciplines with students taking a standardized assessment in ELA and/or MATH for promotion purposes.  In the content areas of science and social studies, students are required to complete an "exit-project" with the components of a written document, a visual representation and an oral presentation.

When totaled together, all of these instructional initiatives provide several appropriate opportunities for students to make significant academic gains.

Shelley Levy
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Readinglady1 at aol.com [mailto:Readinglady1 at aol.com]
>Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 09:27 AM
>To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
>Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] NYC Middle School Reading
>
> 
>In a message dated 5/27/2007 8:05:52 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
>ljackson at gwtc.net writes:
>
>An article in the NY Times this morning talks about a substantial rise in
>middle school reading scores and attributes those rises to qualified
>teachers and a rigorous program. What, out of curiosity, is the program or
>approach? If anyone out there knows, please share.
>
>
>Several years ago NYC went to Balanced Literacy as part of a core 
>curriculum. In the elementary schools most NYC school are using the Teachers College 
>Reading and Writing Workshop. We have some schools using America's Choice and 
>schools that were on the list for reconstruction were using Soar to Success. 
> In the middle school they are using RAMP Up and America's Choice. The 
>basic structure though is Balanced Literacy.
> 
>Laura
>readinglady.com
> 
>
>
>
>************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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>
>

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