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Home Collaborative School Committees Building a Strong School Community Training
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CBLA Information for Families"The Colorado Basic Literacy Act (CBLA) is a promise Colorado educators have made to the public. We as educators will work in partnership with families to do everything possible to ensure that all children will be proficient readers." What is the Colorado Basic Literacy Act? Colorado Basic Literacy Act requires that all children read on the third grade level before they move to a fourth grade reading class. Schools must carefully monitor the reading growth of all students from kindergarten through third grade. If a student does not read on grade level, his/her classroom teacher and family will develop an Individual Literacy Plan (TLP) to assist students in mastering reading skills. How will the school know if my child is not reading on grade level? Schools must use a body of evidence gathered over time to determine a student's reading level. The body of evidence is a collection of information about your child's progress. This information could include: teacher observation of your child's ability to read out loud, your child's written work, short tests of reading skills, and other information as appropriate. The teacher will use this information to see if your child is reading at grade level. What happens if my child is is not reading on grade level? If your child is not reading on grade level, the school will contact you so that together you and the school can develop an Individual Literacy Plan (ILP). Part of that plan will require a home reading program. What is an Individual Literacy Plan (ILP)? The ILP is the plan that you and school staff develop to help your child do better in reading. It shows your child's reading strengths and weaknesses. The ILP includes both activities to help your child improve on reading and a home reading program. What is a home reading program? Parents play a key role in their child's reading development, so the home reading program will help your child become a better reader. The following are a few things you can do to help your child become a better reader:
Is the ILP like an IEP? No, an individual Education Program (IEP) is for a student with disabilities. A team of special educators and the family develops this plan. The IEP addresses a variety of educational needs. The ILP focuses only on reading. School staff must re-test students with ILPs twice a year. Some students with IEPs may have an individual literacy plan; however, many students who have ILPs do not have disabilities. How long is a child on an Individual Literacy Plan (ILP)? School staff must review your child's literacy plan every semester. When a child progresses in reading and is a grade level, he/she no longer needs an ILP. Are third grade students the only students on ILPs? No, schools and parents can develop an ILP for any student in kindergarten and above who needs additional help in reading. Students beyond third grade who are still struggling with reading maintain their ILP until they are reading on grade level. Does a parent have to sign the individual Literacy Plan (ILP)? It is very important for you, as a parent, to be part of your child's education. Most schools will ask you to sign the ILP after a discussion about how you and the school will work together to help your child succeed in school. Remember, the literacy plan also includes a home reading program. The home reading plan has ideas that you can do at home to help your child with reading. Will children repeat the same grade if they are not reading on grade level? The Colorado Basic Literacy Act reminds us that all pupils can succeed in school if they have the basic skills in reading and writing that are appropriate for their grade levels. This Act encourages and guides schools developing plans to meet all students' needs. Therefore, the Individual Literacy Plans should provide the boost needed for struggling students. At the end of the third grade, students not reading on fourth grade level can go on to fourth grade but will continue receiving reading instruction at their reading level. Children are not held back in third grade. (For information on retention, see Of Primary Interest, volume 6, no.1 and no. 2 You may order copies of this informative pamphlet from the editor Frank Fielden at Colorado Department of Education 303.866.6674) Will my child go to summer school if he is not proficient in reading? Summer school is one option some districts are providing to help young readers; however, not all school districts are able to provide summer school. If summer school is not an option, parents should contact their local library for summer reading programs. Do schools only worry about students who are not reading on grade level? Schools should be addressing the needs of all students, even those who excel. One means of monitoring the accomplishments of all students is Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). The goal of all schools is to have all students proficient or advanced on CSAP. Why are we testing third graders? House Bill 97-1249 requires a state reading test for all third graders. The first third grade CSAP was administered in March, 1998. The test is only part of the body of evidence to decide if your child is reading on grade level. Why are we placing so much emphasis on third graders? There is much research on reading that points to the critical importance of third grade. If struggling readers can be identified by third grade, schools are often successful helping the child read at grade level. The longer the child falls behind his peers, the more difficult it is to get caught up. What does CBLA have to do with Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP)? A few years ago, Colorado developed a state test of reading and writing. Students in grades three, four, seven, and soon, ten, take these reading and writing tests. For third graders, scores in the Colorado Student Assessment program (CSAP) become part of the body of evidence. For instance, if a student is not reading on a proficient level on the CSAP and if other assessments also suggest that the student needs additional help, the school and parents will work together to develop the Individual Literacy Plan. Contributing agencies:
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Take time every day to read with your child