CTL leads two-year Kentucky content literacy initiative

November 10, 2008

CTL is the recipient of a two-year Kentucky Content Literacy Initiative grant from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), aimed at improving adolescent literacy instruction across all content areas.  CTL’s grant is one of two awarded statewide by KDE, with the goal to develop a replicable model for boosting adolescent literacy in all Kentucky schools, a priority of the State Board of Education.

CTL is partnering with the Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative (WKEC) and Murray State University to provide literacy development training, coaching and support for teachers in grades six through 12 in the Paducah Independent Schools.  The project is based on CTL’s Adolescent Literacy Model, which combines six key components of literacy development to shape teaching strategies in all subject area classrooms.

CTL will provide direct training to teachers, and with Murray State, will also develop the capacity of WKEC staff to train and coach during and beyond the period of the grant, which includes the 2008-9 and 2009-10 school years.

The project is designed to build leadership in literacy development among school administrators, immerse teachers of all subjects in practical strategies to develop literacy skills among their students, and develop a regional system that will support the ongoing improvement of all instruction for adolescents.  “Teachers and administrators will be well prepared and supported in their efforts to increase student achievement,” notes Vickie Maley, Paducah Independent Schools Assistant Superintendent.  “Teachers will learn to employ the latest research and teaching strategies to further students’ higher level thinking skills across the curriculum.  School and district leaders will learn the latest techniques for monitoring and supporting staff as we all work toward increasing student achievement.”

Project activities will include formal training sessions, on-site teacher coaching, and distance learning conducted by CTL.  In addition, CTL will collaborate with Murray State to enhance teacher recruitment in the area of literacy, and to include literacy development in pre-service teacher education.  “We are pleased to be working in partnership with MSU and WKEC to support the literacy efforts of Paducah Independent,” says Amy Awbrey, CTL Vice President for Program Design and Implementation.  “Not only will their schools and students benefit greatly, but this project will also build local and regional capacity to support adolescent literacy work in western Kentucky in the future.”

Ongoing evaluation of the project is being conducted by independent research scientist Dr. Brent Garrett.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Deborah Walker
v: 502.895.9500 x328