Literacy

In 1997, Congress recognized that too many children were reading below grade level. Because children's reading ability is critical to their overall success in school, this was simply unacceptable. Congress directed the creation of the National Reading Panel to reevaluate educational research and give our teachers and schools a roadmap to address this problem.

The Panel found that for children to be good readers, they must be taught:

• phonemic awareness skills - the ability to manipulate the sounds that make up spoken language;
• phonics skills - the understanding that there are relationships between letters and sounds;
• the ability to read fluently with accuracy, speed, and expression; and
• to apply reading comprehension strategies to enhance understanding and enjoyment of what they read.

Below are links to many resources pertaining to literacy.

• Big Ideas in Beginning Reading
• Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement
• Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills - DIBELS
• Florida Center for Reading Research
• International Reading Association
• National Institute for Literacy
• National Institute for Reading
• National Reading Panel

Tel: (216) 524-2770
Fax: (216) 524-2885