FOR-PD Update

Dear Colleagues:

Greetings from the FOR-PD team! Our summer 2005 sections are going very well and we are still receiving registration files from districts across the state. This month I wanted to share with you information about the different ways educators and schools can benefit from the various products and services of FOR-PD. Please examine and use our project resources also as follow-up for educators who are pursuing the reading endorsement.

Using FOR-PD To Support Scientifically Based Reading Professional Development

The primary goal of FOR-PD has been to assist districts with helping preK-12 teachers obtain the Florida Reading Endorsement by meeting Competency 2: Foundations of Research-Based Practices. Since this time, FOR-PD has also been recommended to districts for Alternative Certification Programs. We have compiled a list of possible uses of the FOR-PD course for your consideration. Please call us at 866-227-7261 (toll free - Florida calls only) or e-mail your request for assistance to forpd@mail.ucf.edu. 

Are you looking for a comprehensive reading professional development course for your teachers? FOR-PD offers a free comprehensive course which is founded on scientifically based reading research. Course participants learn how to translate scientifically based research into action through instructional strategies to help all students learn proficiently. The FOR-PD course offers teachers and administrators an abundant amount of rich and relevant resources on reading and classroom implementation.  

The FOR-PD course consists of fourteen lessons completed over fourteen weeks and includes research-based readings, modeling of reading strategies, and assignments in which participants must apply their new knowledge. The course is offered in an online learning environment with a knowledgeable facilitator guiding the participants through each lesson. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are eligible to receive 60 hours of inservice credit.  

How have schools used FOR-PD? Schools can opt to offer FOR-PD in many different ways.  

• School-based inservice. Schools can register groups of 20 participants to take the FOR-PD course. Schools can choose a facilitator or FOR-PD can help by selecting a facilitator for you. Teachers would then go through the course over 14 weeks.
• School-based learning communities. Schools can form small learning communities to deepen knowledge of reading. Groups of 20 or more teachers can form their own course with a trained facilitator. Teachers can then meet face-to-face as a group to discuss questions brought out by the reading, support and help in using the technology contained in the course, applying the knowledge to look at student achievement, or even to conduct action research.
• Study Groups. Teachers going through the course may convene study groups to further explore one aspect of the research or one particular teaching or learning strategy.

What other resources are provided by FOR-PD?  The FOR-PD website has a wealth of information. We have several resources your school and teachers will want to access. Resources can be used for school wide professional development or for groups of teachers who may be investigating a particular literacy issue. These resources provide a wealth of information that is solidly based in reading research.  

• FOR-PD Resources Database. This database of online resources is available to anyone. It contains thousands of resources related to literacy and learning. The database is searchable by keyword or subject. http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/resources/
• FOR-PD Reading Strategy of the Month. Each month FOR-PD features a research-based reading strategy. The online resource provides a rationale for using the strategy, directions for using the strategy, how the strategy can be adapted, how to assess student use of the strategy, online resources, references, and elementary and secondary examples as well as a downloadable blank strategy sheet.
  http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/strategies/
• FOR-PD Literacy Newsletter. This monthly newsletter deals specifically with literacy. It contains information on upcoming conferences, sources of funding, resources on the World Wide Web, and resources teachers can use with students. The participant section answers pertinent questions participants have about the course and provides helpful tips for successful completion. http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/newsletter/
• FOR-PD Reading Reminders. The Reading Reminders summarize the key points within each lesson of the FOR-PD course. The Reading Reminders can be used in the classroom, in staff development meetings, as well as quick summaries of research on the thirteen-literacy topics within the course. http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/resources/reminders.html
• FOR-PD Chat Transcripts. FOR-PD offers monthly chats on topics ranging from using the technology in the course to timely reading issues that impact teachers. Each chat is recorded and posted on our website for public viewing. A recent chat of interest included Evan Lefsky, 6-12 Reading Specialist at Just Read, Florida!
  http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/resources/chat.html
• FOR-PD Expert Interviews. The FOR-PD Project actively seeks interviews with literacy experts across the country on topics related to the course. Each interview is then posted on our web site as a means of literacy support for participants and teachers across the state. Interviews are provided in both text and audio formats.
  http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/resources/interview.html
• FOR-PD Information for Parents. FOR-PD has compiled a list of sites that provide literacy information for parents.
  http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/parents/

In addition to the course and the extensive resources, FOR-PD will provide ongoing support to schools that wish to use our program as professional development. Other forms of assistance for follow-up include peer-coaching, mentoring, study groups, and collegial support groups in your school. In addition, if you would like to organize case study reviews, video-taping of teachers incorporating strategies learned in FOR-PD, or participate in action research on the connection between professional development and student achievement, contact Vicky Zygouris-Coe, Ph.D., Principle Investigator at vzygouri@mail.ucf.edu or 407-207-7296.

Here is our proposed Summer 2005 and Fall 2005 Open Enrollment and Course Schedule:

Summer 2005
3/14/05	Open enrollment registration for Summer begins
5/2/05	Open enrollment registration for Summer ends
5/16/05	Summer classes begin
8/22/05	Summer classes end
Fall 2005
6/20/05	Open enrollment registration for Fall begins
8/15/05	Open enrollment registration for Fall ends
8/29/05	Fall classes begin
12/5/05	Fall classes end

We are thankful and honored to be able to provide quality products and services to our preK-12 educators. We thank all of you who have helped us to provide this valuable task. We have learned so much and we continue to learn as we work with partners, school districts, literacy and technology experts, educators, and facilitators.

In this update you will find information about our current numbers, sample activities, resources, and plans. We value your feedback and collaboration. Please feel free to contact me at vzygouri@mail.ucf.edu and/or (407) 207-7296.

Best wishes,

Vicky Zygouris-Coe, Ph.D.
FOR-PD Principle Investigator

 

Latest FOR-PD Numbers

• 10,092 students
• 677 sections
• 65 participating districts
• 6 participating universities

FOR-PD at the Just Read, Florida! Educational Leadership Conference

Special thanks to our collaborators who stopped by our exhibit booth. We enjoyed meeting hundreds of principals from across the state. It was a wonderful and very informative conference! We had great conversations with many educators about FOR-PD. Special thanks to Janet Robinson (Assistant Principal, Duval county), Rebecca Wilhelm (Assistant Principal, Lake county), and Tillie Steele (Literacy Coach, Seminole county) for co-presenting with Dr. Vicky Zygouris-Coe at the conference. Our new instructional classroom products were a big hit! We continue to find ways to place as many resources and valuable information in the hands of our Florida educators.

 

FOR-PD Literacy e-Newsletter

Please read the June issue of the Literacy Newsletter. 

This issue focuses on Literacy Coaches. Many of you are literacy coaches. Many of our FOR-PD facilitators are also literacy coaches. FOR-PD facilitators are online literacy coaches who assist teachers to learn about scientifically based reading research and to successfully complete the course. The newsletter contains a plethora of comprehensive resources and support in literacy for preK-12 educators. Special thanks to Catherine Glass, our reading specialist, for developing this great literacy resource. We receive a lot of positive feedback from past graduates and current participants who enjoy our resources. You may reach Catherine at cc@orion.itrc.ucf.edu. 

 

FOR-PD's Reading Strategy of the Month

Our literacy newsletter continues to receive much attention at the sate and national level. This month's reading strategy is Reciprocal Teaching with an emphasis on questioning and summarizing. Reciprocal teaching helps to scaffold students' use of four comprehension strategies: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing. Please examine our current reading strategy and the examples provided from elementary and secondary levels. Also, don't forget to share the strategy with your colleagues. Each month, we feature an effective reading strategy, explain the rationale behind the strategy, give directions on how to use the strategy with students, ideas for adapting the strategy to different content areas, ideas for assessing the strategy, and, of course, a printable PDF version of the strategy. Check out our Reading Strategy Archive to see past Reading Strategies of the Month. Please share the strategy with your colleagues.

Facilitating with Felicity

Please also read our June Facilitator Newsletter. 

In our "Facilitating with Felicity" Facilitator e-newsletter, we continue to address issues of professional development, facilitation, communication, and teacher participation. This month we are focusing on professional development design and learning. We are highlighting many resources that will help facilitators implement principles of effective professional development and learning in their facilitation of the FOR-PD course. The FOR-PD course provides teachers with many opportunities to collaborate on assignments and on sharing of knowledge and experiences. This newsletter is a powerful vehicle for providing ongoing professional development and communication with all FOR-PD facilitators. Special thanks to Wendy Bedwell, our Facilitator Support Specialist, for this wonderful facilitator resource. Our facilitators enjoy the support and resources provided through this newsletter. You may reach Wendy at Wendy@orion.itrc.ucf.edu.

 

Facilitator Training and Certification Course Registration Information

The newly designed facilitator course is in session. We are pleased to announce that thirty-three literacy educators from across the state were selected to receive online facilitation training. FOR-PD facilitators are online coaches who assist educators to learn about scientifically-based reading research and to successfully complete the FOR-PD course. The course is 7 weeks long. It started on June 3 and will close on July 18. We will continue to update you about the facilitator course and its impact on educators’ professional development.

 

FOR-PD New Help Desk Hours

Help Desk hours are:
Monday through Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm EST
Monday, Tuesday and Friday 6:00pm - 10:00pm EST
Saturday 10:00am- 3:00pm EST

The phone number is 1-866-863-READ (7323) toll free, Florida calls only. For non-Florida calls only 407-249-4702. Technical support is also available through AOL Instant Messenger, screen name "forpdhelp". You can also reach the FOR-PD Help Desk via email - helpdesk@orion.itrc.ucf.edu.

 

FOR-PD Monthly Online Chats

Technology and General Course Chat
WHEN: Wednesday, June 22
TIME: 7:30 - 8:30 PM EST
WHERE: General Chat for All Courses Chat Room
WHO: For facilitators and participants
TOPIC: Join us for a chat on any technology or general course-related issues. Our technology lead will be available for the first half an hour to answer your technology questions. Then we will open the floor to any general questions about the course or the reading endorsement.
REQUIRED RESOURCE(s): None

Future Chats

Great Reads, Young Adult Literature
2 Chat Opportunities
WHEN: Tuesday, June 28
TIME: 7:30 - 8:30 PM EST
WHERE: General Chat for All Courses Chat Room
WHO: Facilitators and Participants North and West of Orange County
TOPIC: Great Reads, Young Adult Literature
REQUIRED RESOURCE(s): None
WHEN: Wednesday, June 29
TIME: 7:00 - 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: General Chat for All Courses Chat Room
WHO: Facilitators and Participants South of and including Orange County
TOPIC: Great Reads, Young Adult Literature
REQUIRED RESOURCE(s): None

 

FOR-PD Notable Quotables

"I was very apprehensive about taking this course, due to my deficient technology skills, but thanks to you and your guidance and your feedback, it has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. The wealth of information that this program has provided us with is truly amazing. The practical strategies that we can use directly in our classrooms [are] invaluable. With one lesson to go, I can see the end, but I can also appreciate how important the facilitator is to the success of the program. I feel very lucky to have taken this adventure with you."
Connie Snyder, Spring 2005

REGARDING COMMUNITY BUILDING IN FOR-PD: "For community building, FOR-PD is incredible. There is substantial support in so many areas. In technology, we have our own gurus who keep the site running effectively and efficiently and are always available for participant and facilitator problems. They respond to concerns and problems so professionally and so promptly.  There are so many resources for facilitators including the model discussion postings, the discussion area, the chat sessions, the syllabus, and the calendar. The cohesiveness of the facilitator group is strengthened through emails and mutual support. Finally, I think the way we respect and value our participants and always try to be supportive and helpful only makes our foundation stronger. I think they appreciate the personal phone calls, the personal responses to postings, the user-friendly aspects of the course and its format. We have an excellent learning community, which is enhanced by a tireless staff in Orlando!"
Nancy Tondreault – Spring 2005

Please share with us your opinion of the course. Email us at: forpd@mail.ucf.edu.