This week we focus on our chose website. We are to follow some outside links or share information we learned from the organization's newsletter. I have not received a newsletter yet, but I did find a link to an interesting organization through the website's literacy page. Part of NBCDI's goals are to ensure all black chidden are proficient readers by grade 3. Sadly, only 15% of black children are reading at their expected level by grade 4. To help counteract this, they are working with two organizations: The Campaign for Grade Level Reading (www.gradelevelreading.net) and Raising A Reader (www.raisingareader.org). Raising a reader is an organization devoted to helping children of families ages 0-8 develop, practice and maintain home literacy routines. NBCDI's goal is through "working with Raising A Reader, NBCDI aims to improve literacy levels within African American communities by engaging families and helping them develop an at-home literacy routine with proven results that link to academic and life success." Reading with children is such a simple thing to do, but it has such a huge impact on their development. Helping parents to understand what it is that reading can do for their child's academic success and for their own relationship with their child is so important and I am happy to see that NBCDI has taken on this initiative and are working with two organizations who see the value in reading to and with your child.
I also relaying the information I got from my early childhood contact in England this week (better late than never!). They wrote:
"The biggest issues related to excellence and quality at this moment in time centre around qualifications.
This includes:
http://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/26/Debate-should-early-years-teachers-have-qualifed-teacher-status
http://sheila-nutkins-author.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/debate-about-ratios-and-qualifications.html
In addition, the regulator Ofsted has come under increasing fire for standardisation issues:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24079951
http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/article/1214950/exclusive-ofsted-responds-big-conversation
And more recently, 'school readiness' has been at the forefront of agendas:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10307682/Failure-to-acknowledge-the-concept-of-readiness-in-education-this-is-the-tragedy.html
http://edfaclib.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/guest-blog-post-too-much-too-soon-school-starting-age-the-evidence-3/
Finally - issues over improving the quality within the state sector and comparison to both PISA and other measurements:
http://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1560801/early-years-professional-launches-petition-in-battle-to-gain-qualified-teacher-status
The relative value, and what is required by practitioners, is currently under review and debate - in an attempt to raise standards both professionally and of those work in the sector."
Hello Beth,
ReplyDeleteI think what this organization is doing is great. They are going beyond expected means in efforts to help and promote reading in African American families. Many parents, especially younger parents, lack the knowledge of the importance in reading to their children. It would be nice if we had an organization like this in every state, in every county or borough to make sure that all children, of all races meet required reading standards, and instill in them the joy of reading.
Hi Beth,
ReplyDeleteI too used this as one of my resources, and I feel so sorry for the children who do enter into school not being able to read. I often look at situations like this and wonder if the children who are behind do their peers pick on them? This is such a unfortunate situation, but it is good to see their are people out here other than us willing to help.
Hi Beth,
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed tough for some of the African American communities to find positive ways to education and this organization does a prolific job. To see organizations really sticking their necks out for people to help change lives is truly a blessing and I think the National Black Child Development Institute does a great job to improve and advance the quality of life for African American children and their families through education and sponsorship. Great information, I look forward in reading more or your resources.
BethAnn,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the information you post about your resources. It is very important that children are reading fluently by the age of 3 because if they are not then there is the possibility that they will never be reading on their correct reading level. I feel that African American parents as well as parents from other races should put more effort into helping their child. The teacher cannot teach the child everything or make the child master every objective. However, if the parents are working with the teachers and helping the child with things they are learning in the classroom, there is a better chance that the child will be able to achieve all objectives. Parents do not realize that they are their child's first teacher and they must start working with them as soon as possible. We have to put more time into our children's education if we want to make sure they excel.
BethAnn, you provided some wonderful information. I really enjoyed reading it. It is very sad that so many Aftican American children are reading at their expected level by grade 4. I am happy that we have organizations like NBCDI!
ReplyDelete