1.1: Reading/Language Arts

Improve student achievement in reading/language arts.

Other Information:

President Bush and the Congress set a goal through NCLB that all children will perform at the proficient level or above on challenging state student achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics. To reach this goal, the Department will assist states and local educational agencies (LEAs) in building capacity to support effective turn-around strategies in schools undergoing restructuring. The Department also will help ensure that parents and students have greater access to public school choice and supplemental educational services (SES). Additionally, the Department will seek enactment of a bill that incorporates key elements of Building on Results, the blueprint for an effective ESEA reauthorization; this proposal builds on the progress states, LEAs, 7 and schools have made over the past five years in support of achievement in reading and mathematics. The Department’s efforts will help ensure that students graduate with a high school diploma that prepares them for success in postsecondary studies and the job market. Strategy 1. Seek enactment of a bill that incorporates the key elements of Building on Results, the Department’s blueprint for ESEA reauthorization. In order to support attainment of achievement targets mandated by No Child Left Behind, the Department in January, 2007 put forth the policy document Building on Results. With this document as its blueprint, the Department will seek enactment of a bill that strengthens the core principles of No Child Left Behind, continuing to focus the work of states and educators on closing the achievement gap and having all students proficient in reading and mathematics by 2014. Strategy 2. Assist states and LEAs in turning around schools in restructuring status or in need of improvement. The Department will collect and disseminate information about (a) promising strategies and practices for turning around schools in restructuring status, and (b) activities to improve schools designated “low-performing,” with an emphasis on strategies to evaluate and improve reading and mathematics instruction. Furthermore, the Department will leverage the School Improvement Fund to ensure that this information translates into meaningful change. Strategy 3. Collect, analyze, and publicly disseminate disaggregated student information on a timely basis. The Department will post on its Web site timely, disaggregated data provided by states in the ESEA Consolidated State Performance Report on student performance levels on state academic student achievement assessments for reading/language arts and mathematics. Strategy 4. Assist states in achieving their Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) State Performance Plan (SPP) targets in reading and mathematics. The Department will collect participation and performance data for students with disabilities on statewide assessments as part of meeting IDEA’s SPP requirements and on the percentage of students with disabilities who meet or exceed Proficient levels in reading and mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Department will provide technical assistance to states to improve their capacity in collecting accurate data and in designing appropriate assessments. The Department also will provide technical assistance on evidence-based practices and effective strategies that assist states in meeting their SPP targets and that result in improving the reading and mathematics performance of students with disabilities. President Bush and the Congress set a goal through NCLB that all children will perform at the proficient level or above on challenging state student achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics. To reach this goal, the Department will assist states and local educational agencies (LEAs) in building capacity to support effective turn-around strategies in schools undergoing restructuring. The Department also will help ensure that parents and students have greater access to public school choice and supplemental educational services (SES). Additionally, the Department will seek enactment of a bill that incorporates key elements of Building on Results, the blueprint for an effective ESEA reauthorization; this proposal builds on the progress states, LEAs, 7 and schools have made over the past five years in support of achievement in reading and mathematics. The Department’s efforts will help ensure that students graduate with a high school diploma that prepares them for success in postsecondary studies and the job market. Strategy 1. Seek enactment of a bill that incorporates the key elements of Building on Results, the Department’s blueprint for ESEA reauthorization. In order to support attainment of achievement targets mandated by No Child Left Behind, the Department in January, 2007 put forth the policy document Building on Results. With this document as its blueprint, the Department will seek enactment of a bill that strengthens the core principles of No Child Left Behind, continuing to focus the work of states and educators on closing the achievement gap and having all students proficient in reading and mathematics by 2014. Strategy 2. Assist states and LEAs in turning around schools in restructuring status or in need of improvement. The Department will collect and disseminate information about (a) promising strategies and practices for turning around schools in restructuring status, and (b) activities to improve schools designated “low-performing,” with an emphasis on strategies to evaluate and improve reading and mathematics instruction. Furthermore, the Department will leverage the School Improvement Fund to ensure that this information translates into meaningful change. Strategy 3. Collect, analyze, and publicly disseminate disaggregated student information on a timely basis. The Department will post on its Web site timely, disaggregated data provided by states in the ESEA Consolidated State Performance Report on student performance levels on state academic student achievement assessments for reading/language arts and mathematics. Strategy 4. Assist states in achieving their Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) State Performance Plan (SPP) targets in reading and mathematics. The Department will collect participation and performance data for students with disabilities on statewide assessments as part of meeting IDEA’s SPP requirements and on the percentage of students with disabilities who meet or exceed Proficient levels in reading and mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Department will provide technical assistance to states to improve their capacity in collecting accurate data and in designing appropriate assessments. The Department also will provide technical assistance on evidence-based practices and effective strategies that assist states in meeting their SPP targets and that result in improving the reading and mathematics performance of students with disabilities.

Stakeholder(s):

• Students

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

Content