The Chicago Reading Initiative is designed to ensure that all students have access to high quality instruction in reading.
The initiative has five major focus areas:
- A uniform instructional framework for teaching reading consisting of four major components: word knowledge, fluency, comprehension, and writing
- A mandated 2 hours of literacy instruction (reading and writing) per day in elementary and high schools, and a focus on literacy instruction in all content areas
- Extra support and reading specialists for schools with low performance or lack of progress
- Development of high quality professional development opportunities for teachers and leadership teams in reading instruction, and implementation of the literacy framework
- New materials and assessment tools, and extra support for all schools
- Provide students with a strong reading and writing background that will enable them to succeed beyond their post high school careers