Website Links for Literacy

 

The following is a list of websites for organizations that are dedicated to promoting literacy. All of these websites offer a vast array of information and resources about literacy, including details about the Reading First initiative. A brief description of the organization and the website link are included.

 

United States Department of Education—Reading First

http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst

Website provides information about the Reading First initiative which is an authorization under the No Child Left Behind Act. The purpose of Reading First is to insure that all children become successful readers by the end of grade 3.

 

Reading First Support

http://www.readingfirstsupport.us

Website provides information and resources for teachers, parents, and administrators about the details of Reading First, including background information about scientifically based reading research (SBRR). The website also includes links to the Reading First newsletter, state Reading First websites, and the National Reading First Technical Assistance Center.

 

National Reading Panel (NRP)

http://www.nationalreadingpanel.org

Main website of the national panel that was convened in 1997 whose task was to assess the effectiveness of various approaches used to teach children to read. The website includes publications and materials (including The Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read), press releases and testimony, and frequently asked questions.

 

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)

http://www.nifl.gov

The National Institute for Literacy provides information and resources in an effort to improve literacy across the lifespan. It is authorized by U.S. Congress under the following two laws: the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The National Institute for Literacy serves as a national resource for literacy and disseminates information on scientifically based reading research as it applies to the implementation of classroom reading programs.

 

Partnership for Reading

http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading

The Partnership for Reading is a collaboration among 3 federal agencies—the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), and the United States Department of Education. Due to this partnership, this website is unique in its ability to offer the latest evidence-based research about effective ways to teach of reading. The website provides a wealth of research-based information and resources that are accessible to a wide range of audiences (teachers, parents, administrators, and policy-makers). The website offers links to the following publications:

• A Child Becomes a Reader: Proven Ideas for Parents from Research—Kindergarten through Grade 3
• Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read
• Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read—A Parent Guide

 

Florida Center for Reading Research

http://www.fcrr.org

The Florida Center for Reading Research conducts research about reading development, instruction, and assessment. The website provides user-friendly access to the research from the center.

 

Big Ideas in Beginning Reading

http://reading.uoregon.edu

This website provides information, technology, and resources about the 5 essential elements of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). The following information is available for each element:

• Definition
• Research
• Assessment
• Instructional ideas
• Curriculum maps
• Implementation model

The document “A Consumer’s Guide to Evaluating a Core Reading Program Grades K-3: A Critical Elements Analysis” is available under the “Links and Resources” section of this website.

 

The Institute for the Development of Educational Achievement (IDEA)

http://idea.uoregon.edu

IDEA is based in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. The institute is designed to improve the academic and social achievement of children and young adults through the production and dissemination of information and provision of outreach and research services. The website includes the “Analysis of Reading Assessment Instruments for K-3”.

 

Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)

http://dibels.uoregon.edu

Main website for the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) which are a set of standardized, individually-administered measures of early literacy development.

 

Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA)

http://www.ciera.org

CIERA served as the national research and development center on early childhood reading with a mission to improve the reading success of all children. It developed and disseminated solutions to persistent problems in children’s early reading achievement. CIERA’s contract has recently expired and the website will soon become an “archive-only” site.

 

Reading Rockets

http://www.readingrockets.org

Website includes books, forums, resources, and current articles about teaching children to read and helping children who struggle.

 

International Reading Association (IRA)

http://www.reading.org

Website of the membership organization of literacy professionals which provides information, research, and resources to help anyone in the educational community interested in promoting literacy. The website includes details about the association (membership and events), publications, and web resources (teaching tools, issues in literacy, and literacy communities).

 

New England Reading Association (NERA)

http://www.nereading.org

Website of the membership organization of literacy professionals for the six New England states. The website presents details about membership, annual conference, research scholarships, and mini-grant awards.

 

Maine Reading Association (MRA)

http://www.mainereading.org

Website of the membership organization of literacy professionals for the state of Maine. The website presents details about membership, its video library, and a calendar of event.