1. Twelve Years of InnovationEvidence of Success in Student Literacy GrowthBCSSA Summer InstituteAugust 17, 2012

2. Achieving a Necessary Future Concept initiated 1999 - launched in 2001/2002 – 5 schools, expanded to 8 schools Class size 15 – 18, No combined classes What We Learned • as reported in the Achieving A Necessary Future November 2005, January 2007 and January 2009 reports, the ANF lower class size has not made a difference for some students. • specific individual students may require more intensive intervention beyond lower class size to meet their learning needs; and, • all classroom teachers need ongoing, targeted inservice in order to learn, use and reinforce literacy strategies so students have opportunities to practice and integrate skills in daily academic work. The data clearly indicates that a significant number of vulnerable students exist in both ANF and non ANF schools. Thus, the concept of only targeting the vulnerable students in eight select schools limits the focus on the support for at-risk primary students in other schools. Address vulnerability in all elementary schools(Board Motion Nov. 2011) RESULTED IN HIGH DISTRICT MOTIVATION

3. Early Learning Profile • An assessment tool used from K-3 based on the essential literacy skills predictive of future literacy learning success • Developed to track students • 1999 pilot in 4 schools • Revised and utilized in ANF schools • Expanded to entire District – 2002 • Teacher input throughout to make revisions – ELP Revision 2010 - The Three Tiers of Instruction Intervention • 2012 – ELP published in K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 Documents

4. Why does our district focus on the at-risk learner in the early years? • One of the most compelling findings from recent reading research is that children who get off to a poor start in reading rarely catch up. • The poor 1st grade reader almost invariably continues to be a poor reader. (Francis, Shaywitz, Stuebing, Shaywitz & Fletcher, 1996; Torgenson& Burgess, 1998)

5. We understand where to begin…Knowing What They KnowKnowing What They NeedKnowing What We Need to Teach • At-Risk students are those who begin school with less verbal skills, less phonological awareness skills, less letter knowledge and less familiarity with the basic purpose and mechanics of reading. (Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children, Snow, et.al., 1998)

6. FourYear Trend K 1 2 3 2005/2006 to 2008/2009 22% = 252/1143 23% = 262/1226 15% = 196/1308 16% = 212/1324 2006/2007 to 2009/2010 24% = 272/1134 26% = 314/1208 17% = 212/1249 15% = 195/1297 2007/2008 to 2010/2011 20% = 236/1181 30% = 358/1193 17% = 208/1226 12% = 154/1282 2008/2009 to 2011/2012 22% = 260/1181 23% = 285/1238 16% = 206/1288 11% = 143/1296

7. Early Childhood Connections • Concept of Universal Preschool (2002) • Link of readiness of preschoolers – summer camp 2004 • Early Learning Partnership – SD 23 staff = K Teacher, 2 principals, Trustee, Planning Manager, Early Learning Coordinator Community = Kelowna Child Care Society, ECEBC Okanagan Branch, Central Okanagan Child Development Association, Licensing – Interior Health, Child Care Provider • Early Literacy Community Outreach Professional Development Sessions 13 preschools 10 StrongStart Centres Child care programs Young Parent Program Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers

8. Early Learning Initiatives of the Early Language and Literacy Partnership Team 1999 - 2011 School District No. 23 – Kelowna, B.C. 9. “You Make the Difference” a Hanen Early Language Program 1. K-3 Language & Literacy Screener for At-Risk Learners 10.“Learning Language and Loving It” a Hanen Early Language Program 2. Summer Language and Literacy Camp 11. ECE/Kindergarten Summer Institute 3. Early language & literacy professional development for E.C.Es. 4. Strong Start Centers 12. Early Learning For Families (ELFF) 5. Parents as Literacy Supporters 13. Early Language & Literacy Project Grants 6. Early Learning Partnerships 14. University of British Columbia: Early Learning Program – EDEC 463 – Early Language & Literacy 7. High School Playschool Program 8. Young Parent Program

9. SD No. 23 2012-2013 Collaborative Models of Support Creating Schools & Classrooms of Inclusion & Belonging SBT INSERVICE SERIES – Universal Design for Learning SCHOOL-BASED LITERACY TEACHER INSERVICE SERIES 5 SSS Teachers Collaborative Support Team INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS .2 CMOS SCHOOL BASED FACILTATOR UBCO & SD No. 23 Pyramid of Intervention Schools at a Glance Class at a Glance FIELD STUDY & RESEARCH CMOS MENTORSHIP Kozak, 2012

10. WHAT’S NEXT PLAN A: Submitted to the Ministry July 2012 SD 23 K – 3 Early Reading Plan for 2012 – 2013 Board Motion: “…Develop a new collaborative Model of Support that includes the investigation of differentiated interventions strategies to meet the needs of all vulnerable students in all elementary schools.” The District will focus on "Changing the Results for Young Readers" as further described in the following information: (Approximately – $1,948,000 allocated to support the District’s initiative to meet the needs of vulnerable students) • Background • Collaborative School Teams with a Focus on Creating Classrooms Where All Students Can Learn   • Formal Action Research Projects with a Focus on Literacy • Creating Schools, Classrooms and Support Structures to Meet the Literacy Learning Needs of All Learners • The Response to Intervention Model of Student Support • Reporting Our Student's Progress • Collaborative Model of Support 2012 – 2013 Report to the Board of Education

11. Professional Development Offerings • Summer Institute – Dr. Jean Feldman – Aug. 27/28, 2012 Rock Rhyme, Write and Read Tips, Tricks and Terrific Ideas! • Full Day K sessions – Sept. 7, 2012 – Explorations Learning Through Inquiry and Play • Early Learning Profile Training – Sept. 2012 • Early Learning For Families (ELFF) – Mandated at least one evening for each Elementary School (30 Elementary) • ECE/StrongStart – Hanen, Brain-based research, make and take/sharing sessions • Spot Light Sessions – Examples:Daily 5, 6 +1 Traits, Words Their Way • ILT – Support for Schools – Project Based Learning, Whole Class Reading, School Wide Write

12. Mark your calendars…. School-Based Literacy Support Teachers Inservice Choose 1: • September 17 - Early Learning Profile for Gr. 2/3 – morning, • Roles, Strategies & Structures of School-Based Literacy Support – afternoon. • September 24 - Early Learning Profile for Gr. K/1 – morning, • Roles, Strategies & Structures of School-Based Literacy Support – afternoon. All Attend: • Friday, October 12 – PM Benchmarks Training & Refresher SBT Inservice Series at HREC • September 10 – AM Elementary September 21 – AM Middle/Secondary • October 15 – Morning • November 19 – Morning • January 14 - Morning • February 25 – Morning • April 8 – Morning • May 13 – Morning Kozak, 2012

13. Indepth summary of our “12 years of Innovation in Student Literacy Growth”, • An Early Learning (Birth to 8) Program Review – Vulnerable Children Becoming Thriving Primary ReadersProgram Review by Dr. Janet Mort, (August, 2012)

14. For More Information ContactSchool District No. 23Clara Sulz – Director of Instructionclara.sulz@sd23.bc.ca250-470-3227