What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction - International ...

• Pursue the first Question for Discussion from page 65 of the
chapter: Interview the principal and two or three teachers about
their home–school partnership initiatives. Are there practices
and procedures in place that are likely to lead to the reciprocal
learning that characterizes effective partnerships? Which of the
practices are likely to help teachers learn about the family and
their literacy practices and routines? Which of the practices are
likely to help parents learn about the skills and strategies that
they might use to help children succeed in school?
• Read and reflect on the IRA position statement Family–School
Partnerships.
SESSION 5
The Importance of Effective Early
Intervention (Chapter 4)
Research indicates that children who experience difficulty with
initial literacy acquisition may lose motivation to practice reading
and writing and, as a result, be set on a path of continuing academic
struggle. As a result, it is important that children who are struggling
be identified early so that they can be provided with appropriate
support to avoid this spiral. Author Dorothy Strickland describes
approaches to early intervention and outlines the components of
successful programs.
Framing the Session
Desired outcomes
• To clarify the terminology of intervention and prevention
• To explore the characteristics and components of effective
intervention programs
• To distinguish policy and practices that affect intervention
Guiding questions
• What components are essential for achieving success with
prevention and intervention programs?
From the Professional Development Edition of What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction
(3rd ed.), © 2009 International Reading Association.
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