The Urban Education Task Force recommends the implementation of a comprehensive system of supports for K–3 literacy, with a focus on English language learners.

SAMPLE ACTION STEP The five urban districts should develop a comprehensive curriculum for early literacy.... This curriculum would build on ongoing efforts to develop curricula in the five districts, with an emphasis on sharing existing work and best practices

• Develop a comprehensive, guaranteed, viable early literacy curriculum and mandate its use in districts in corrective action.
  
  
• Strengthen oral-language development to support early literacy.
  
  
• Develop expertise in teaching emergent literacy.

Because of the large proportion of English language learners in the five cities that are the focus of this Task Force, we feel the state must take an active role in providing specific supports for this population of students. And while we have focused in these recommendations on the role educators must play to support early literacy, it is important to note that the responsibility is not theirs alone. As a state, we must also support parents, libraries, colleges and universities, community centers, and hospitals as partners in early literacy development.

Downloads

• Early Literacy Recommendations and Action Steps
  [PDF: 4 pages]
  Introduction, promising work under way in Rhode Island, recommendations, short- and long-term action steps
  
  
• Early Literacy Supplements [PDF: 3 pages]
  Supporting data and information about the recommendation
  
  
• Executive Summary [PDF: 16 pages]
  Introduction, outline of the recommendations
  
  

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