Literacy

CCT is conducting a formative evaluation of the Reading Companion, a Web-based literacy initiative that uses voice recognition technology to help children and adults learn how to read. Developed by IBM researchers working in partnership with schools and not-for-profit organizations, Reading Companion assists individuals as they learn to read by ‘listening’ and providing feedback, enabling emerging readers to practice reading and their English pronunciation as they acquire fundamental reading skills.

CCT is conducting a series of meetings to examine the feasibility of developing analytic tools to predict the impact of literacy interventions at both the community and individual student level. These models will consider a range of factors contributing to how student populations develop proficiency in reading and will support the long-range planning of policy makers as they work to promote reading achievement.

This project is developing two products for the National Institute for Literacy. The products will be used by schools and other organizations and groups to engage parents with low literacy skills in supporting their children’s (kindergarten through third grade) literacy development through fun, at-home activities. The products include a facilitators manual and parent activity guide. EDC project stasff are working with national literacy experts on the development of the products.

ScienceQuest was a unique after-school program that supported community-based organizations who wanted to increase staff and organizational capacity; assisted youth (ages 10–14) in learning science, technology, and literacy; and increased the youths’ positive experiences with learning. Through training in I-Search methods and ongoing in-person and electronic support, coaches lead small groups in personally relevant explorations documented through youth-designed Web sites.

COPE is developing a series of 26 online professional development courses that are available through the PBS TeacherLine site. The courses are designed to help elementary, middle, and high school teachers deepen their own understanding of mathematics or reading/language arts, incorporate effective teaching and assessment methods, use technology in their classrooms, and address issues of equity.

CC&F/EDC developed and launched a major region on the PBS Parents Web site that helps parents promote the language and literacy development of their children from birth through age 8. CC&F/EDC continues to add resources and further articles on language- and literacy-related topics, such as parent-child book clubs and using computers with young children.

CC&F is augmenting the database of children’s literature that it developed last year for the PBS Parents Web site. During this project, CC&F will be adding approximately 185 books, including several in Spanish and English, for children from birth through grade three. This extensive database offers a children’s literature search tool that parents can use to assist them in finding quality books for children.

EDC will develop a high school level standards-based Ford PAS module that focuses on personal financial literacy, while strengthening students’ knowledge and understanding of mathematics, including key algebraic concepts. In this module, students will explore individuals’ responsibilities and rights and apply algebraic concepts to the making of short-and long-term financial decisions. Such decisions will include applying for and choosing a credit card, making a large purchase, planning to pay for college, investing, and planning for retirement.