Unlocking Literacy
A Guide to Implementing Illinois Literacy Plan with CLI's Support
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Imagine a classroom where every child, regardless of race or zip code, has access to high-quality education and feels valued and capable of success.
This vision is becoming a reality through the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ICLP), a strategic initiative by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) aimed at transforming literacy outcomes statewide. Addressing the urgent need for literacy reform, the ICLP provides a comprehensive roadmap for equitable and dynamic learning environments.
At Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), we are committed to supporting educators in this mission. By providing tailored literacy coaching, comprehensive training, family engagement, and culturally responsive resources, we empower teachers to turn their classrooms into vibrant hubs of learning.
Our goal is to ensure that all students, especially those from marginalized communities, have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Understanding and implementing the ICLP is crucial, and CLI is here to support you every step of the way in building a brighter, more inclusive future for every child.
Essential Guide for Educators to Implement the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan with Support from the Children’s Literacy Initiative
Introduction
Literacy is a cornerstone of educational success and is essential for students' civic, educational, occupational, and personal engagement. However, recent data shows significant literacy challenges in Illinois.
For instance, 38% of fourth-grade students have below-basic reading skills, and 67% fall below the proficient level.
These statistics underline the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction, making the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan (ICLP) a crucial initiative.
Background
The ICLP was developed to address these literacy challenges, acting as a strategic roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide. Formulated with input from educational professionals and mandated by Public Act 103-0402, the plan aims to ensure every child has access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction.
Goals and Key Components of the ICLP
The ICLP is driven by three primary goals:
Educator Support
Every educator is prepared and continuously supported to deliver high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
High-Quality Instruction
Every student receives high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
Leadership in Literacy
Every leader is equipped to create, maintain, and sustain equitable conditions for high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
The plan identifies Seven Components of Literacy as foundational elements: Oracy, Phonological Awareness, Word Recognition, Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Writing.
These components provide a comprehensive framework for literacy instruction, ensuring students develop a robust set of skills. ICLP’s key components include:
- Effective Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction
- Educator Professional Learning, Development, and Support
- Effective Literacy Leadership
- Support and Implementation Considerations
- Tools and Resources
Why Is This Plan Necessary?
The ISBE acknowledges the critical importance of literacy, closely linked to various social and life outcomes, such as salary, incarceration rates, dependence on government assistance, and health.
Recognizing the current literacy instruction landscape and its existing challenges is vital to ensuring that every student in Illinois has access to high-quality literacy instruction.
High-Quality, Evidence-Based Instruction
High-quality and evidence-based literacy instruction is essential. Language represents a systematic method of communicating ideas and feelings through agreed-upon signs, sounds, gestures, or marks with understood meanings.
Reading and writing, like speech, require explicit teaching of the connections between sounds and letters. Evidence-based instruction, grounded in a comprehensive analysis of educational practices, is a dynamic process that adapts to emerging research and the changing needs of student populations.
The ICLP follows the ESSA’s Tiers of Evidence framework:
Tier 1
Strong Evidence
Tier 2
Moderate Evidence
Tier 3
Promising Evidence
Tier 4
Demonstrates a Rationale
This approach ensures that teaching methods are not just theoretically sound but also have proven effectiveness in enhancing student learning.
Supporting Educators with the Children's Literacy Initiative
CLI is dedicated to improving literacy instruction in early education and plays a crucial role in supporting educators in implementing the ICLP. Here’s how CLI enhances our ability to help educators implement the ICLP:
Conclusion
The ICLP is a transformative initiative aimed at ensuring all students in Illinois achieve literacy proficiency. With the support of CLI, educators can effectively implement the ICLP, benefiting from professional development, personalized coaching, valuable resources, and family and community engagement strategies.
As the new school year approaches, understanding and integrating the ICLP’s principles into daily practice will be critical for fostering a generation of literate and empowered learners. Together, we can help our students succeed and thrive.
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