Using Stimulus Funds for Title I Intervention

Using Stimulus Funds for Title I Intervention

Good news: Schools across the country are starting to get some much-needed federal stimulus money. But now comes the tricky part—deciding how to spend it.

The government is requiring that some of this money be used for specific purposes, such as Title I, to help struggling or disadvantaged students. If you are a teacher looking to spend stimulus funds on English Language Arts intervention products, check out these high-quality, inexpensive offerings from Amsco.

Strategy Central for the Active Reader (Literature, Nonfiction, Information).
Strategy Central is an engaging three-book literacy series designed to improve reading comprehension among struggling readers. The series also assists teachers and literacy coaches by giving them a variety of tools they can use to teach reading strategies. Strategy Central meets the goals of Title I the following ways:

Strategy Central addresses the needs of all students, particularly those reading below grade-level and those at risk of not meeting state standards and/or dropping out of school.

Strategy Central improves students’ reading skills and helps to close the achievement gap between low- and high-performing students.

Strategy Central uses research-based methods to improve literacy. For example, the series uses a before-, during-, and after-reading structure to reinforce key strategies, and it also teaches vocabulary, fluency, and writing in the context of high-interest reading selections.

Grammar in Practice (A Foundation, Usage, Sentences and Paragraphs).
Grammar in Practice is a three-book series that helps students become more proficient in grammar. Some ways that Grammar in Practice meets the goals of Title I:

The series’ ESL feature explains points of grammar and usage that are challenging to non-native English speakers, thus helping to close the achievement gap.

The grammar instruction meets the needs of all students, especially those who need an intensive grammar review. The skills scaffold as you move from one book to the next, and each skill is taught in engaging, integrated ways that help to improve students’ literacy.

The series uses researched-based methods, such as teaching grammar in the context of writing. The Writing Applications section integrates grammar and usage concepts by having students write sentences and paragraphs. The series also has a Composition Hints feature.

Vocabulary for Success, Courses I-IV
This four-book series helps students increase their vocabulary and improve their understanding of written and spoken language. Here’s why Vocabulary for Success is an appropriate Title I product:

The series contains a variety of writing exercises, so that students learn to use the new words in different ways and to think critically about word choice and language.

The Vocabulary in Context feature helps to improve reading and literacy skills.

For more on these or any other Amsco products, go to our Web site. Good luck!

--Lauren

PS Speaking of literacy, April is Literacy Education Advocacy Month, and this Thursday, April 23rd is Literacy Advocacy Day. Here are some ideas from the NCTE on how you can make your voice heard!