Collaborating with a university to train reading tutors
Abstract
A new director of an elementary school literacy tutoring program in rural Purdy, Missouri, established a collaboration with a local university to train her AmeriCorps tutors (called reading coaches). Purdy reading coaches collaborated with the STARR Program (Select Teachers as Regional Resources) of the University of Missouri-Kansas City to plan and implement free literacy tutor training sessions. The Purdy reading coaches are 13 AmeriCorps members ranging in age from 18-60 who serve in an elementary school that has approximately 113 students in grades K-5 (2002).
Issue
As a new director of an elementary school literacy tutoring program, with little background in literacy training, Raynel Schallert needed to form a collaboration to train her AmeriCorps tutors.
Action
Raynel Schallert and the Purdy Reading Coaches (based at an elementary school in rural Purdy, Missouri) collaborated with the STARR Program — Select Teachers as Regional Resources, at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, to plan and implement free literacy tutor training sessions based on the needs of the Purdy Reading Coaches Program.
The STARR program provided teachers who conducted training sessions on literacy topics such as
- Building blocks of reading
- Balanced literacy and guided reading
- Power writing
Other sessions included instructional strategies such as
- Cooperative learning
- Peer coaching
- Learning styles and multiple intelligences
- Classroom management
- Research-based methods for improving student achievement
Context
The Purdy Reading Coaches program currently has 13 reading coaches, all based in one public elementary school in the Purdy R-II School system in rural Purdy, Missouri. All coaches are AmeriCorps members and range in age from 18-60. This elementary school houses students in grades K-5 and services approximately 113 students.
STARR is a state-level professional development program for Missouri schools created under provisions of the Outstanding Schools Act. The program provides classroom-tested training to help teachers and tutors use authentic instruction, performance-based assessment, and Missouri's new academic performance standards.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education launched the STARR program during the spring of 1994. Since its inception, top classroom teachers have been recruited to learn about and then share with their colleagues instructional practices which have been proven most effective in helping students to become more successful in school.
Each year a new group of STARR teachers is selected. After selection, they are provided in-service workshops, emphasizing authentic instructional techniques, throughout the school year. After each in-service, teachers return to their classes at their home schools to practice the skills and techniques learned.
After a year of preparation, the teachers selected to participate in the program are housed at the nine Regional Professional Development Centers (universities) during the school year. Traveling to various school sites near their university base, they provide in-service for teachers throughout the state of Missouri.
Outcome
Raynel Schallert reports that her reading coaches are more prepared to serve the students based on these training sessions. They are able to incorporate ideas learned into their tutoring sessions, which benefits the elementary students and the tutoring program.
Evidence
Purdy Reading Coaches has adapted the LEARNS Literacy Assessment Profile to assess individual student learning which has indicated students are making progress.
Posted On
January 16, 2002For More Information
Source Documents
Related Practices
Related sites
STARR Program (University of Missouri-Kansas City)
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