A position statement of the Keystone State Reading Association

Reading Recovery® And Other Quality Early Intervention Programs

The Keystone State Reading Association firmly supports early intervention programs like Reading Recovery® that hold the promise of saving many youngsters from long-term remediation, retention, and special placement. For the past 5 years, Chapter I/Title I has been encouraging the use of funds to support services for early childhood programs. Reading Recovery® has been implemented in the state and has begun to spread; other quality early childhood programs are in developmental stages. The Association recognizes that, in reauthorization of ESEA, the emphasis on inclusion and targeting of services may result in the loss of some of these programs. These programs have been funded in large part by Chapter I/Title I unless schools/districts have had the vision to invest in early interventions designed to close the gap in literacy competencies between Title I children and their peers.

KSRA urges LEAs to set as priority the identification of, and interventions for, children who lack a foundation for successful literacy development as they develop strategic plans and revise budgets and programs based on diminished funds.

The Association supports the position of IRA’s Reading Recovery® Task Force:

            Children shall be provided sufficient instruction in early literacy to learn and achieve along with their peers.

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©2008 Keystone State Reading Association

Last Modified 07/17/2008    Website Coordinator: Eric C. MacDonald