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Literacy Collaborative
Literacy Collaborative is a comprehensive school improvement project designed to improve the reading and writing achievement of students in pre-K through 8th grade. Schools that adopt the Literacy Collaborative gain:
A comprehensive instructional framework for all students in all grades that includes Guided Reading, Writing Workshop, and Language and Word Study. Based on decades of research on language and literacy development, the instructional approach is student-centered and emphasizes language development and student talk as the foundation for reading and writing. Instruction addresses the essential components of literacy instruction, including phonics and phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension strategies, and student motivation. The program offers tiered instruction that meets the requirements of Response to Intervention (RTI), and is aligned with the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts.
A well-trained school-based literacy coach who provides professional development and in-class coaching to other teachers in the school. Initial coach training is provided at a district or university training site, and the coach receives ongoing support and professional development after the initial training year. Through ongoing professional development and coaching, all teachers in the school improve their teaching practice, create a more cohesive professional community, and provide students with a coherent instructional program.
A school leadership team that supports and facilitates the school improvement process. The team analyzes student achievement data, monitors program implementation, evaluates program results, and communicates with parents, the school district, and other stakeholders. Parent involvement is a critical emphasis in Literacy Collaborative schools.
Through professional development and coaching, teachers learn to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each student. The core instructional framework (Tier 1) is designed for all students in the class, and small group and individual interventions (Tiers 2 and 3) are provided for students who are struggling with reading and writing. Many Literacy Collaborative schools provide Reading Recovery as an intensive intervention for first graders (http://www.readingrecovery.org) and Leveled Literacy Intervention as a small-group intervention for grades K-3.
Literacy Collaborative has programs for Pre-K, K-2 (Primary), 3-5/6 (Intermediate), and Middle School. Schools also have the option of creating a K-5 or K-6 program.
Literacy Collaborative has been a service mark of The Ohio State University since 1998. Lesley University was granted use of the service mark in 1999 for the development of the intermediate model, and in 2004 for the development of the middle-school model. Schools that meet the Literacy Collaborative Standards are granted royalty-free use of the service mark on a yearly basis. National governance is provided by the Literacy Collaborative Trademark Committee. Current members are Jill Eurich, Irene Fountas, Andrea McCarrier, Gay Su Pinnell, Diane Powell, and Patricia Scharer.