Closing the Circle : A Practical Guide to Implementing Literacy Reform, K-12

The innovative framework includes five major elements: (1) a set of clearly defined literacy attributes (concise expectations for what students should know, do, understand, and experience in the language arts); (2) instructional contributions that best support students, including struggling learners, in acquiring the attributes; (3) appropriate assessments for tracking students’ progress; (4) reporting practices that clearly explain the progress achieved; and (5) rigorous analysis of data to inform instruction. The model embraces a broad conception of literacy and includes expectations for reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as viewing and representing, making it especially suitable for learning in the digital era.

Sean A. Walmsley is professor and chair of the Reading Department, State University of New York at Albany. A former teacher, he has published numerous articles in professional journals, written several books related to language arts, and is co-editor (with Richard Allington) of No Quick Fix: Rethinking Literacy Programs in America's Elementary Schools. He works with schools and districts nationally in implementing literacy and language arts reforms.