While Reading Recovery serves identified first grade students, the Arkansas model serves kindergarten - grade three students in small groups. In January 1996 the Parent Literacy Committee was convened. This group, composed of parents, Literacy Coordinators and Principals plans and conducts parent education programs. Each of our elementary schools also has an upper grade Literacy Coordinator. Other components include extensions and themes, documentation of progress, and home and community involvement.
Oral language is the foundation for all elements of the framework.
Staff development includes long term staff development that integrates theory and practice, bi-weekly guided meetings for the Literacy Coordinators, teachers learning the Framework for literacy lessons and how to develop them based upon the children's knowledge, and teachers learning how to select books for children's learning and how to level the books for different reading abilities. Evaluation is focused on teaching practices, student learning and outcomes, and ELLI program effectiveness. During the second year of Reading Recovery, general funds were also used for the program. There are some sites which fund additional positions using their site categorical program resources. During the first year of Early Literacy Learning Initiative funding came from several resources.