ActivitiesSecondary Reading Institute

Secondary Reading Institute

Background

The Secondary Reading Institute is a joint effort of the California Professional Development Institute (CPDI), the Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiative (CAPI), and the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP).

CAPI is part of a CSU-wide project designed to increase the Math and English proficiency of CSU-bound high school students. In response to the data on CAPI school performance on the reading comprehension and composing skills section of the English Placement Test (EPT), the CAPI/CPDI reading institute will focus on content-area literacy.

The California Reading and Literature Project is collaborating with San Francisco State University’s CAPI program to develop an institute to meet the needs of the targeted high schools in the San Francisco region.

The institute is typically 10 days of professional development, which includes orientation, 30 hours of training, and follow-up days during the school year.

Goals of the Secondary Reading Institute

Participants will:

• Support students in passing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and achieving the “proficient” level on the California Standards Test (CST)
• Implement research-based assessment and instructional practices to support students in comprehension and informational text
• Prepare students to demonstrate competence on the CSU English Placement Test (ETP)
• Document evidence of the use of instructional strategies and assessment to determine the impact on student achievement

Institutes will include:

1. Improving the Academic Achievement of ALL Students in Literacy

• English language development and academic language
• Differentiated instruction and flexible grouping
• Attitudes and motivation

2. Reading/Literacy Research and Theory Foundations

• Standards – California English/Language Arts
• Framework – California English/Language Arts
• The reading process and recent reading research

3. Assessment

• Use of diagnostic assessment to inform instruction
• California High School Exit Exam
• California Standards Test
• CSU English Placement Test

4. Reading Comprehension Strategies

• Metacognitive awareness and reciprocal teaching
• Word study and vocabulary development
• Comprehending text structures
• Responding to informational text
• Critical thinking

5. Building the Learning Community

• Team work
• Analysis of assessment data
• Collaborative lesson planning

Participants

Teachers at CAPI and low-performing high schools (API 1–4) are invited to attend. Westmoor and Jefferson are both CAPI schools.

Participant Commitment

• Attend all Institute days – 60 hours (one make-up day)
• On-site team meetings, analysis of assessments, reflections, etc. – 60 hours

Institute Commitment

• Provide materials and expertise to meet institute goals
• A stipend of $1000 payable in two parts
• Enrollment for extended education credit is available for a fee

Participant Commitment

• Attend all Institute days – 60 hours (one make-up day)
• On-site team meetings, analysis of assessments, reflections, etc. – 60 hours

2002 Schedule

• June 10: Institute orientation
• August 22–16: Intensive institute week
• October 26: Initial follow-up day
• TBA: Two additional follow-up days during the 2002–2003 academic year