Description :  This project builds collaborative partnerships between the school team of general and special educators working to improve the reading of students with disabilities in grades four through eight. OWLLS-TOO! is a cooperative effort with a currently funded LaSIP project (Oral and Written Language Literacy Strategies) (OWLLS) which began during the summer of 2004 and provides the existing cohort of teachers with the additional information needed to better address the needs of students with disabilities in their classrooms by creating Options and Opportunities. It will also enable teachers of special education to join the original cohort of OWLLS reading teachers to become OWLLS-TOO! (Oral and Written Language Literacy Strategies—Teaching Options and Opportunities). The components of this project are consistent with the National Staff Development Council’s Standards for Staff Development. It involves whole group training through six monthly Saturday workshops and 16 video conferences; small group training through staff development teams and monthly school level inservice; and site coordinators who visit each school two days each month to provide modeling, mentoring, and coaching. An electronic blackboard will provide resources, readings, course assignments, and ongoing information to all cohorts. Participants also are involved in small and long term research projects measuring the efficacy of different components of the project, and continuing evaluation and feedback.

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Principal Investigator:  Cummins, Carrice  --  Curriculum, Instruction & Leadership

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Collaborators:  

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Funding Agencies:  US Dept. of Ed. through LA Dept. of Ed.

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Amount Awarded:  $188,100

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Start Period:  10/01/2004

End Period:  09/30/2005