C6.09 - Approve the Purchase of Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) Materials from Heinemann to Provide Developmentally Appropriate Tiered Reading Instruction in Grades K-5 Transformation Schools Learning Recovery Program (Academic Services)
The LLI materials provide a framework for effective small-group instruction and assessment for students demonstrating difficulty in reading and writing. Daily lessons are systematically designed to accelerate students’ progress with leveled books and direct instruction from a teacher, including phonics/word work, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Students engage successfully with fiction and nonfiction texts every day, including titles selected to build students’ content knowledge while they read. This resource will be used with Tier 2 and Tier 3 students participating in the learning recovery program within the Transformation Network to provide additional tiered support in literacy.
A supplemental resource designed for intensive reading intervention for every grade level is necessary to provide the use of effective instructional materials to meet the needs of their most fragile readers. Purchasing LLI materials for these groups of schools creates consistency in resources used across schools for students and teachers. Students participating in LLI lessons will receive daily intensive reading lessons with the goal of reducing the gap between their current instructional reading level and their expected on-grade reading level.
On the iReady fall diagnostic, many students are not on grade level. This two-year data shows stagnant movement toward on-grade level literacy scores.
| On or Above Level ELA | Fall 2018 | Fall 2019 | Difference |
| K | 36% | 39% | 3% |
| Grade 1 | 29% | 28% | -1% |
| Grade 2 | 38% | 35% | -3% |
| Grade 3 | 49% | 49% | 0% |
| Grade 4 | 36% | 37% | 1% |
| Grade 5 | 36% | 36% | 0% |
In the December 2019 K-5 Literacy Review: Final Findings and Recommendations for Hillsborough County Public Schools, one of the recommendations stated:
“Include embedded differentiated instruction and scaffolded support for above and below level learners, including students served by Exceptional Student Education and English language learners.”
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) identified two studies of LLI that fall within the scope of the Beginning Reading topic area and meet WWC group design standards. According to the WWC review, LLI had positive effects on general reading achievement. We expect teachers using this resource with students participating in the learning recovery program will have access to high quality supplemental materials to close reading achievement gaps and accelerate students toward reading on grade level or above.
* Improve Student Achievement
That the Board approve the purchase of LLI materials from Heinemann to provide developmentally appropriate tiered reading instruction in grades K-5 Transformation Schools.
Terry Connor, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, Academic Services, terry.connor@hcps.net, (813) 272-4221
Deborah Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning, deborah.cook@hcps.net, (813) 272-4221
The fiscal impact is $554,009 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Grant, Project 0147. The GEER grant funding is restricted and is used for students participating in the learning recovery opportunities within the Transformation Network beyond the regular school day.