To get the maximum impact from this curriculum, students are grouped according to their reading achievement rather than by grade, allowing teachers to tailor instruction to each student’s needs. This structure allows for both differentiated, targeted instruction and rapid acceleration.
 

The different Reading Edge levels move across a continuum of instruction that corresponds to how students typically learn to read. Level 1 focuses on giving beginning readers the tools they need for literal comprehension. It uses a sequence of illustrated stories, presented with phonetically regular text that becomes more challenging as students master new skills. Levels 2 and 3 use high-interest fiction, nonfiction, and readers' theatre to develop basic decoding skills, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Levels 4 through 8 use short stories, novels, poetry, and nonfiction to help students learn and apply effective comprehension strategies. All levels focus on building background knowledge and developing study skills to foster success both in school and beyond. Each student enters the Reading Edge at his or her own instructional reading level; thus, individual students only spend time engaged in the level of instruction they need the most.

Click here to learn more about the Reading Edge Middle School lesson components.

• targeted, daily instruction for thirty-seven weeks at each reading level;
• teacher-friendly manuals with detailed lesson plans to reduce class preparation time;
• assessment tools to monitor student progress;
• clearly presented lesson guides for students, which include team discussion questions, vocabulary activities, writing practice, and student readings;
• guides to reading strategies for students; and
• student team study and self-assessment tools.

One key to the Reading Edge's success is the in-depth professional development provided by the SFAF point coaches to support teachers' implementation.

Program Introduction
A two-day initial training is provided to prepare teachers for a smooth Reading Edge implementation. The training focuses on:

• instructional strategies embedded in the lessons to support the development of word recognition, fluency, and comprehension skills;
• elements of the lessons that provide engaging images, routines, and practice needed to ensure success for each student;
• tools to assess student progress and adapt lessons to meet students’ needs;
• cooperative-learning strategies that provide the practice and repetition students need at the middle school level;
• social problem-solving skills taught to build a powerful and positive classroom (and school) climate; and
• support for administrators and district personnel as they prepare to manage the program, monitor student progress, and support a high-quality implementation of the Reading Edge.

Goal-Focused Achievement Planning
Goal-focused achievement planning sets the stage for success. You and your SFAF point coach develop specific goals and monitor student progress.

• Every quarter, the Reading Edge teachers, school leaders, and your SFAF point coach review student progress.
• Goals and interventions for the next quarter are planned based on the data.
• Your coach prepares quarterly reports on student progress for teachers, schools, and the district office.

Ongoing Coaching and Support
As the year progresses, you will have a variety of ways to work with your SFAF point coach to review your progress and refine goals. The schools involved in the Reading Edge will receive:

• quarterly visits by your SFAF point coach, who will observe classes, meet with the Reading Edge teachers and administrators, review data on student progress, and set new goals.
• follow-up telephone meetings with the Reading Edge coaches. These meetings support implementation of the program by providing teachers with further training, troubleshooting, goal-setting assistance, and help with assessment issues.
• unlimited, informal telephone support for all staff members.

Scope and Sequence