A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Team Reports--September 1998

Louisiana

Team Report

How Louisiana is implementing the research findings in the National Research Council Report, "Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children."

Literacy Instruction

The State of Louisiana, recognizing the importance of early intervention, has targeted its resources to implement reading in the early years through the following:

Early Childhood Education: Through State and Federal funds, Louisiana (excluding Head Start) is investing $34,800,000 in programs for four-year-olds.

The K-3 Reading and Math Initiative: Over the past two years the State of Louisiana has invested $50 million to improve the reading skills of students in kindergarten through third grade.

a strong literature, language, and comprehension program that includes a balance of oral and written language;
phonological awareness which includes

phonemic awareness,
phonics, and
fluency;

print awareness;
reading practice;
ongoing assessment; and
intervention

Multisensory Structured Language Programs: The regular legislative session resulted in the enactment of the Louisiana Law for the Education of Dyslexic Students. Since its inception, Louisiana has been a leader in the implementation of innovative programs for the identification and remediation of students who demonstrate delays in the acquisition of reading, writing and spelling. Millions of dollars are available through a variety of programs which allow provision of intensive teacher and administrative training.

A Louisiana Success Story

During the 1997-98 school year, all 66 school systems were allocated funds based on the number of students in grades K-3. The accomplishments of the Initiative include:

87,230 low-performing students engaged in intervention programs to help boost their reading.
Over 10,000 of the 11,037 K-3 teachers participated in some form of professional development.
9,557 at-risk students participated in after-school programs taught by 1,358 certified teachers in 322 schools in 26 school districts.
The K-3 Leadership Project was implemented in which teams of teachers and administrators from across the state participated in a "trainer of trainers" in effective reading practices.
947 teachers and administrators participated in training in reading at the regional level.
Over 600 teachers and administrators participated in a four-day multisensory structured language training.

For further information, contact:

Avril Font, Program Manager
K-3 Reading and Math Initiative
Louisiana State Department of Education
626 North 4^th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064
(225) 219-4553
(225)342-3346 Fax

State Commitment Form

State: Louisiana
Team Leader: Yvette Lavergne
Phone Number: 504-342-9615

As a result of attending this Summit, what two things does your state team commit to doing in the next six months toward enhanced literacy for children and their families?

Develop state and/or local plan for continuous follow-up for staff development.

What can the U.S. Department of Education do to help YOU help children read well and independently by the end of the third grade?

The U.S. Department of Education should publish free and readily available materials that reflect the current research in Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. These should be user friendly and should be written for teachers, parents, teachers of teachers (Teacher Education), and policy makers.

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[Kentucky]

[Maine]