Level Up with Literacy
The State Support Team 1 Literacy Newsletter
Making Connections: MTSS & Families
In the February issue of Level Up with Literacy, we explored using an MTSS framework to launch your literacy efforts.
This month, consider how an MTSS framework can be used to support your family and community engagement efforts by building strong relationships with families and community partners, and ensuring everyone has access to the language and literacy continuum.
Getting started: How Schools Can Use a Multi-Tiered System of Support for Family Engagement offers advice for developing a strong home-school collaboration to improve student outcomes.
April Strand: Family & Community Partnerships
Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement encourages schools to build strong relationships with families to create holistic and sustainable support systems for learners from birth through graduation.
Language and literacy support for families offered by schools and communities should:
- Provide all families opportunities to be active supporters of their children’s language and literacy development
- Promote enjoyable language and literacy interactions at home
- Provide clear, timely understanding for families about their children’s progress
- Equip families with the developmentally-appropriate literacy strategies and resources they need
- Promote literacy in families’ home languages
- Incorporate the interests and cultures of children and their families
- Communicate high learning expectations for all children
This month, we focus on the Family Partnerships strand of Ohio's Theory of Action, and offer resources that help to support language and literacy development through collaboration between school and home.
Systems-wide Supports
Free Rubric: Family Engagement in Early Literacy
Academic Parent-Teacher Teams (APTT)
Instructional Supports
International Children’s Digital Library
Healthy Communication on Teams with Families: A Reflection Tool
Assistive Technology: A Family-centered Approach
Assistive Technology (AT) AT can be a tool, system, or device to support access to literacy. OCALI's module "A Family-centered Approach to Assistive Technology in Early Childhood" provides guiding principles and collaborative approaches to AT access for early learners.
Note: You will need to set up an account for access, but the content is free to view.
Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
Watch this 2-minute video to learn more about available services >>
The Ohio Department of Education is offering all content from the 2021 Ohio Literacy Academy for educators to access as their time allows. View the on-demand presentations and download the pre- and post- activities to support your professional learning goals. Access the materials >>
Virtual Family & Community Engagement
Presented by SST 1 | April 22 & May 13
Develop family and community engagement frameworks, learn how to align them to your school improvement efforts, and gather tools for monitoring and evaluating your engagement progress.
Adolescent Literacy Leaders Network
Explore the practices that address the six essential domains of adolescent literacy instruction, and investigate the complex nature of building and advancing literacy skills across all disciplines. Register today >>
Adolescent Literacy Sessions
Now - May 13
Ohio's Literacy Specialists and Literacy Leads are hosting virtual professional learning sessions about a variety of adolescent literacy topics through the end of the school year.
Family and Community Toolbox
On-Demand
The resources ODE makes available to families and caregivers are selected to build upon the natural learning opportunities that support early language and literacy development as children move through their typical day. Share these resources with your families >>Contact State Support Team Region 1
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need guidance on instruction, increasing educator capacity, or any other literacy-related topic.
Email: info@sstr1.org
Website: sstr1.org
Location: 2275 Collingwood Blvd., Suite C, Toledo, OH, USA
Phone: 419.720.8999
Twitter: @SST_Region_1
There are no copyright restrictions on this document; however, please cite and credit the source when copying all or part of this document. This document was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, (Award #H027A200111, CFDA 84.027A, awarded to the Ohio Department of Education). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and no official endorsement by the Department should be inferred.