Supporting Effective Literacy Education for Content Teachers  Fact Sheet for Teachers and Literacy Leaders

What is SELECT?

SELECT is an innovative, time- and cost- efficient way to address concerns about literacy, based on the recognition that effective professional development is sustained, collegial, and founded on local assessment and expertise. SELECT features an online graduate level course in research-based strategies that improve reading comprehension in the content areas for students, grades 4–12.  SELECT provides additional phone & email training and support for school-based Literacy Leaders to mentor colleagues as they implement new approaches. The program is closely aligned with the state and national Standards, and Grade Level Expectations. SELECT can help schools meet AYP requirements as part of an Action Plan to improve literacy.

Participating Teachers

Teachers can access the one semester (15 week) course, “Strategies to Improve Reading Comprehension in the Content Areas” any time, anywhere through an internet connection, without leaving their school or home. Course work requires a 1-2 hour weekly commitment from teachers.

Course features include:

§     Pre-and Post-Teacher Knowledge Inventory for each module

§     Weekly assignments tied to teachers’ curriculum and lesson plans, submitted online, graded by instructors

§     Small cohorts of  10-15 teachers, drawn from several school districts

§     Moderated, asynchronous class discussion in an online Discussion Board

§     Technical support readily available by phone or email

§     Three graduate credits available optionally (at additional cost through the Union Institute)

Literacy Leaders

Literacy Leaders participate in online course modules and receive additional face-to-face instruction to build their skills as mentors and leaders. They receive a modest stipend for their additional responsibilities, and may request released time to meet with colleagues.

Literacy Leaders’ roles include:

§     Facilitating Literacy Team meetings

§     Acting as a liaison to SELECT project coordinators

§     Meeting with their school administrators to update them on SELECT activities

§     Mentoring and coaching Literacy Team colleagues through demonstrations and observations

Graduate Credit

All participants may take the course for an optional three graduate credits (at additional cost).

For more information:  contact Linda Hecker, Project Director 

lhecker@landmark.edu                                              802 387-6735

Website:

http://www.landmark.edu/institute/index.html