NYSRA Exemplary Reading Program Award

Deadline: November 15, 2003

Contact: Edith Brooks

Objectives: The program objectives are: (1) to improve literacy in our society, (2) to recognize school staffs who demonstrate excellence in reading and literacy programs, (3) to encourage the development and refinement of exemplary reading/language art programs, (4) to report to the public noteworthy efforts to improve reading/language arts, and (5) to disseminate specific information about high-quality programs so that other professionals can use it to improve their own instructional efforts.

Criteria:

• All public, private, and parochial elementary and secondary schools are eligible for the award if the school has at least one IRA member.
• The school must apply with its entire reading program, not just one segment (i.e. Title I, resource room, library/media, teacher, one grade, and the like).
• The application form must be fully completed, and signed by the chief school officer (e.g., superintendent).
• The winning program should serve as a model for other schools and teachers.
• A school receiving the award cannot apply again within a period of five years.

The Award:

• The award winning school will present at NYSRA's fall conference.
• The award winning school will receive a plaque from the Exemplary Reading Program Award committee.

Application Procedures:

• Applicants should complete the IRA Exemplary Program Award Application form.
• Completed applications should be mailed to the state contact by June 15, 2004.
• Applications should include a description of your program, applying specifically the guidelines listed below. The description may be in any order as long as all criteria are addressed.
• As part of the description, list the names and professional assignments of all those who were involved in completing the application.
• Applications should include evidence that:
• the reading program is consistent with sound theory and where applicable, appropriate research
• the reading facilitates student learning,
• students have access to a wide variety of reading materials
• students demonstrate success in reading,
• comprehension strategies are taught in the reading program and applied in content areas
• listening, speaking, viewing, and writing are being integrated into the reading program,
• administrators provide leadership and vision for the building and/or district reading program,
• the school and/or district offers support services to the program,
• literacy activities occur outside of school, and (10) the community is involved in the reading program.

Judging:

All applications will be reviewed by the Exemplary Reading Program Award committee, applying the criteria listed in the guidelines and using a standardized scoring procedure. Schools receiving a set point value will be visited by representatives of the New York State Exemplary Program Award committee for further evaluation.

Award winners will be notified by March 1, 2004.

Submit applications to: Edith Brooks

P.O. Box 471 New York, NY 10039