Many middle and high school students struggle to learn in their content area classes because they cannot understand the required texts and express their understanding in writing and discussion. These students are at risk for school failure and require instructional support for accelerating their literacy. Districts, schools, teachers, and parents recognize this problem, and national panels and policy makers are discussing it in reports such as Reading for Understanding, Reading Next, and Adolescents and Literacy: Reading for the 21st Century.

Fortunately, a number of programs are responding to adolescent literacy needs. Educators need to know where these programs are, what they provide, how they work, and how to choose among them. For background information, view a Webcast on Adolescent Literacy Programs.

This section of Literacy Matters provides you with up-to-date and practical information about several current adolescent literacy programs. The programs described here include:

• America's Choice Ramp-Up Literacy
  
• Read 180
  
• Springboard™
  
• Supported Literacy™
  
• Strategic Instruction Model
  
• The Strategic Literacy Initiative
  
• Reading Is FAME®

As you browse among these programs and websites, use the following questions to guide your school discussions about program support for your students:

• What are our school goals and district standards for literacy? (e.g., literal comprehension? Understanding content texts? Communicating understanding in writing? Engaging in cooperative learning? Communicating ideas orally with peers?
  
• What do we know about our students’ literacy strengths and weaknesses? How are students performing in writing as well as reading assessment?
  
• What kinds of literacy instruction do different students need? Will all benefit from the same kind of support?
  
• What are the roles of faculty and school leaders in improving adolescent literacy?
  What professional development support do teachers and school leaders need?

You may also want to consult the SEDL website for information about additional programs. http://www.sedl.org/cgi-bin/mysql/buildingreading.cgi?showrecord=18&l=description%20

We hope you find this information valuable and helpful.