Reading and writing are taught as discrete subjects within a certain time schedule. Teachers value having a love of reading and broad reading experiences. Skills were important. Teachers focus on skill development to foster reading. Much of the instructional time is devoted to skills.
Teachers frequently assess mastery of concepts and skills.
They give feedback on student work, including individual conferences on reading and writing. School staff are more interested in outreach to parents and gaining parent involvement. The report lists the following options for improving student achievements in reading and mathematics. Increase student access to instructional and print materials in lower-performing schools, including regular and flexible access to a working library. Develop a state database of alternative student reading assessment and intervention materials that all schools could easily access to provide teachers with a usable benchmark on each student's progress through Grade 3.