Schoolwide Approach Raises Achievement

This study adds to the evidence that a schoolwiderealized that the leadership team needed resources
approach to content literacy instruction is anto effectively engage their peers in adult learning
effective way for raising achievement. The foursituations. We also had to modify the plan to account
school-wide approaches selected by the school-basedfor student behavioral concerns and the number of
LLT are not new, but they are effective. Asnew teachers starting at the school each year.
Shanahan and Shanahan (2008) noted,This study also points to the number of ways that
discipline-specific literacy is built on basic andschool wide plans for improving student achievement
intermediate (generic) literacy skills. Given the profilecan be sidetracked and sabotaged. Lack of support
of the students at Western, it seemed reasonable tofrom the administrative team was a problem at
focus on intermediate and generic skills that could beWestern; other schools will be forced to address
integrated into all classes.similar or related challenges. Having said that it is
For many secondary schools, the problem is not theimportant to note the significant changes in
development of such a plan but rather theachievement realized at Western as a result of
implementation of the plan. This formativepurposeful integration of content literacy instruction.
experiment provides a glimpse into the workings ofInterestingly, the changes extended beyond what
one high school over a two-and-a-half year period ascan be measured by state tests. Students at
the teachers worked to build students' literacy habits.Western read more and better Omega Replica
In reality, the plan had to Replica Tag Heuer beWatches than ever before. They engaged with their
changed a number of times to address the needs ofteachers at levels not previously witnessed. At the
the school. For example, evidence-basedoutset, the teachers at Western wanted freedom
recommendations for professional developmentfrom state mandates, which they understood could
center on teacher-to-teacher implementation. Whileonly be attained by meeting AYR Through hard work
this was certainly the goal at Western, we quicklyand personal change, this freedom was realized.