Arizona State Literacy Plan

1. Arizona State Literacy Plan Arizona Department of Education Joanie Judd Bette Lovelace Director of K-12 ELA Education Program Specialist Joanie.Judd@azed.gov Bette.Lovelace@azed.gov

2. Context for the State Literacy Plan First and foremost, we must recognize that we are a literacy-driven society. In the simplest of terms, across the span of our history, we have sought to understand each other and in turn, be understood. Effective communication has always propelled change foreword at the personal, community and world levels. All Arizona stakeholders need to have a sense of purpose and responsibility in raising up literate young adults.

3. Literacy Counts �Adolescents entering the adult world of the 21st century will read and write more than at any other time in human history. They will need advanced levels of literacy to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens and conduct their personal lives.� Richard Vacca

4. Contemporary Literacy Essential Big 6 Skills for the 21st Century Task definition Define and identify information needed Information seeking strategies Determine range and evaluate different possible sources Location and access Locate and find information within sources Use of information engage and extract important information Synthesis Organize and present information Evaluation Judge the effectiveness and efficiency of the problem solving process

5. Reading By 3rd Grade Matters

6. U.S. Department of Justice �The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence and crime is welded to reading failure.�

7. Rising Literacy Demands 25 fastest growing professions have far greater than average literacy demands 25 fastest declining professions have lower than average literacy demands Approximately 70% of new jobs will require post secondary education

9. Arizona�s State Literacy Plan Initial impetus Federal Striving Readers formula grant Multiple state-wide literacy projects and programs First Things First and K-12 system Adoption of the 2010 Arizona English Language Arts Standards (Common Core) Aligned assessments in 2014-15

10. The Charge Convene a State Literacy Team representing diverse expertise Develop a birth through grade 12 literacy plan Establish a communication and implementation plan of action

11. The Foundation 10 shared belief statements State statutes and State Board policies 2010 Arizona ELA Standards (Common Core) Essential components of effective reading instruction Current evidence based literacy research Culture of collaboration

12. Belief Statements The foundation for lifelong literacy skills begins in infancy. Literacy is the most important skill learners acquire that will benefit them throughout life A student�s rate of growth is related to the quality of instruction and support students experience. Establishing a collaborative system among education and health professionals, family and community is essential to improved student literacy achievement. An integrated system of delivery of instruction provides for high quality learning experiences based on Arizona�s Standards for all learners

13. Belief Statements Continued Intervention that is matched to learners� academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs is essential. Continuous collection and use of valid and reliable benchmark, progress monitoring and diagnostic literacy data informs and promotes decision making. Purposeful, direct, explicit and systematic instruction and evidence based effective practices across the curriculum will support all learners in experiencing academic growth. Student learning and motivation are enhanced by a connection to cultural experience and personal relevance. Literacy instruction is supported by informed leadership consisting of parents, caregivers, community members, teachers, principals and district and state leaders.

14. The Goal Arizona�s high school graduates will have developed a deep well of specific skills, content knowledge, and expertise that clearly demonstrates a fluid integration of oral language and literacy skills. Ensure all essential stakeholders have a clear understanding of the process of developing language and literacy skills and recognize the part they have to play in this process

15.  Student Achievement Targets in Reading THIRD GRADE: in 2020 - 93% of students meeting or exceeding State standards on the state assessment, interim benchmark of 83% in 2014. EIGHTH GRADE: in 2020 - 93% of students meeting or exceeding State standards on the state assessment, interim benchmark of 83% in 2014. in 2021 - 87%, of students achieving at or above basic on the NAEP assessment an interim benchmark of 77% in 2015. TENTH GRADE: in 2020 - 93% of students meeting or exceeding State standards on the state assessment interim benchmark of 84% in 2014.

16. Implementation of the Plan Ensures that instruction is: Built on the foundation of sound research and evidence Fully aligned to the language and literacy continuum Fully aligned to Arizona�s Early Childhood Standards, 2010 English Language Arts Standards and the 2010 ELP Standards Closely tied to intentional learning, data-driven instruction, and purposeful assessments Addressing state statutes, and State Board policy Mobilizing all stakeholders to fully support all learners from cradle to career in developing necessary literacy skills

17. Essence of the State Literacy Plan Creates a cohesive, seamless roadmap for all stakeholders Outlines the stages of language and literacy development from birth through 12th grade Provides guidance on the support that is required at all stages of growth to ensure learning is maximized

18. Important considerations What it takes to develop strong language and literacy skills What reading and writing demands of our brains What reading and writing contributes to our capacity to think, to feel, to infer, to understand ourselves and other human beings Literacy is a neuronally and intellectually circuitous act How to teach those whose brains are poised to acquire reading skills and those whose brains are organized differently How to prepare learners so they are positioned to acquire the next new learning

19. Definition of Literacy Literacy is defined as the ability to effectively communicate in a wide variety of complex settings through: The utilization of visual literacy Perceptive thinking and listening skills Articulate and fluent language and speaking skills Proficient and comprehensive reading skills Convincing ,powerful and compelling writing skills. The integration of these language processes provides learners, in a continuum of development, the opportunity to think deeply while actively acquiring, constructing and expressing an understanding of the world around them.

20. Components of the State Literacy Plan Arizona�s story Literacy Framework Common Structural Components Implementation References Appendices

21. Common Structural Components Leadership Direct and Explicit Instruction Text Complexity Rigor Close Reading of Text Assessment and Data Based Decisions RTI and Interventions At Risk Learners: ELL and Special Education students Parent Engagement-Academic Parent Teacher Teams

22. Implementation Theory of Action Stages of Implementation Systems Models by Age and Grade Span Parent Engagement Model Professional Development Online Face-to-face

23. Birth to Age 5 Language Development Young infants (birth - 6 months) Listening, use of sounds, facial expressions, movement Older infants (6 months � 18 months) Deliberate actions, mimic, meaning of words Toddlers (18 months � 36 months) Receptive language increases, specific use, read alouds Preschoolers (3 years � 5 years) Enhanced language increases ability to think, reason and problem solve

24. Grades K - 5 Teaching children to read Direct and explicit instruction Code focused instruction � reading and writing Vocabulary and comprehension Receptive and expressive language Rigorous instruction Text complexity Motivation

25. Grades 6 - 8 Systematic delivery of standards Text complexity Instructional components Vocabulary Comprehension Writing Speaking and listening Instructional practices Increase explicit instruction in comprehension strategies Increase amount/quality of sustained discussion Set and maintain rigor in discussion, reading and writing Use variety of practices to increase motivation/engagement Teach essential content knowledge and vocabulary

26. Grades 9 - 12 Direct, explicit, systematic instruction Apply content and literacy knowledge in rigorous, authentic engaging situations Instructional components Reading Fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge, comprehension, motivation Writing as a tool, product, process Speaking and listening Discussion and collaboration Language Vocabulary and conventions Motivation and Cognitive Engagement

27. Intervention Systems Response to Intervention AZRTI Multi-tiered system of instruction English Language Learners Program delivery in SEI classrooms Instructional support for FEP students Special Education Infants and toddlers Preschool K-12

28. Read and Highlight Important Words or Phrases �The most expensive burden we place on society is those students we have failed to teach to read well. The silent army of low readers who move through our schools, siphoning off the lion�s share of administrative resources, emerge into society as adults lacking the single prerequisite for managing their lives and acquiring additional training. They are chronically unemployed, underemployed, or unemployable. They form the single largest identifiable group of those whom we incarcerate, and to whom we provide assistance, housing, medical care, and other social services. They perpetuate and enlarge the problem by creating another generation of poor readers.� Fielding, L., Kerr, N., & Rosier, P. 28

29. What is the present reality for our children? 23% of children live in poverty in Arizona Equates to 400,000 children National average is 20% Children in poverty are more likely to suffer Academically Economically Socially Host of barriers will dramatically impact their growth and development

30. Impact of Illiteracy Institute of Education Sciences� 2003 Arizona study Approximately 500,000 adults (16 years old +) do not have basic literacy skills Nationally 3 of 4 welfare receipts are illiterate 70% of prison inmates cannot read beyond a 4th grade level $73 billion in unnecessary medical expenses every year due to poor reading skills Literacy is a community issue Impacts individual�s capacity to contribute Investment begins at birth Health Safety Economics Education Citizen engagement

31. In our K-12 Public School System� Elementary grades 3-8 Reading results (2011 AIMS) All students � 488,882 77% passed � 376,439 students 23% failed - 112,442 students