TOSS ALI & Platinum Partner, Renaissance, brings Dr. Gene Kerns (Bio) to Tennessee to discuss Literacy

Why Reading Growth Flatlines and What to Do About It

According to leadership guru Jim Collins, “The real path to greatness requires simplicity and diligence” and that we learn “to eliminate all of the extraneous distractions.” But where exactly is one to focus?  What are the most essential elements of effective schooling?

Please join us as we share insights on achieving student growth from Daniel Willingham's newest book, The Reading Mind; Mike Schmoker's landmark work, Focus; data from PISA and NAEP; and insights from a variety of other researchers including the Education Endowment Foundation (UK).  In particular, we will deeply explore a previously unconsidered phase of literacy acquisition that holds the promise of transforming what we accomplish in terms of student literacy.

Topics will include the following:

·  why so many students stop substantially progressing in reading beyond Grade 4,

and what to do about it

· emerging concepts from cognitive science that are providing new insights into literacy acquisition

· how students actually teach themselves essential elements of literacy, if their teachers

create the right conditions

·  the most efficient way to build a robust vocabulary

·   the undeniable but often overlooked role of background knowledge in literacy

Agenda:

8:30 – Presentation Begins                                                 

10:00 – 10:15 – Break   

10:15 – Presentation Resumes                                           

11:30 – 12:30 -- Lunch

12:30 – Presentation Continues                                            

2:45 –   3:15 -   Q&A

3:30 – Presentation concludes

**Approved TASL credit (7 hours)**

***This day is only offered in West Tennessee***