Early Literacy Program To Start In “High Needs” Schools
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Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced in Downtown Manhattan Monday the launch of a three-year early literacy pilot program in 10 so-called “high needs” city schools.
About 1,000 kindergarten students will be brought into the Core Knowledge program in September.
They will continue in the program through second grade.
The program focuses on reading aloud and listening, in addition to phonics.
Educators say it's especially helpful for students who are learning English as a second language.
"There are a lot of [English Language Learner] kids in New York and that should be helpful for them,” said educator Ted Hirsch. “The other thing that's great as far as the program goes is that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. So I think that the schools in New York are dedicated, the teachers are dedicated. And it's the perfect vehicle for us to see really how well it works."
"Starting with the vocabulary deficit and then building on a knowledge deficit, we need to address it. I think this gives us the opportunity. Stay tuned for the results," said Klein.
The $2.4 million project will be funded by private donors through The Fund for Public Schools.