The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) Web page outlines the professional development program for K-12 teachers that provides them with the theoretical basis and practical methods for teaching reading effectively. The Web page provides modules for teachers that explain the different components of effective reading (phonics, comprehension, vocabulary) and show how these components might be taught in actual classroom lessons. The interdisciplinary aspect of the program is emphasized: ARI support will not be given to individual teachers unless 85 percent of the faculty signs up for the program.
Although it is a K-12 program, the Publications section on Adolescent Literacy should provide the relevant materials for high school educators. There are also leadership notebooks that could assist other states in developing similar programs.
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Background and Context
Across the country states are struggling to establish sound literacy learning standards for adolescents and appropriate teacher preparation standards in literacy for teachers who will work with adolescents. At the secondary level, literacy should not only be addressed in the language arts curriculum, but it should play a central role in every subject area.
