Policy Briefing in Washington, DC - July 13, 2011
 

Congressional education staff, the U.S. Department of Education, and numerous education-related associations joined RRCNA advocates for a July 13 policy briefing on Capitol Hill.

An important initiative in RRCNA’s strategic plan, the briefing highlighted the effectiveness of Reading Recovery and the impact of the training and professional development model on literacy throughout the school.

Moderated by Virginia Edwards, editor-in-chief of Education Week, the briefing was titled “The Whole-School Benefits of Reading Recovery,” and featured Reading Recovery advocates (pictured left to right) Phoebe Ingraham, Reading Recovery teacher leader, Wright State University, Dayton, OH; Ron Marostica, assistant superintendent, RE-1 Valley School District, Sterling, CO; Salli Forbes, RRCNA president-elect and associate professor of literacy education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA; and Craig Dougherty, RRCNA Board member and superintendent, Sheridan County School District #2, Sheridan, WY. Panelists shared real-life stories of Reading Recovery's impact on student achievement.

The briefing included information about Reading Recovery training and continuing professional development, its strong research base, data on Reading Recovery’s impact on AYP rates, and discussion of teacher expertise and effectiveness with students throughout elementary and into middle school and high school.

Also attending from RRCNA were Eloise Hambright-Brown, president; Judy Embry, past president; Lindy Harmon, advocacy committee chair; Jady Johnson, executive director; and Marsha Studebaker, communications director.

Panelists and RRCNA participants met with the congressional offices of 15 legislators who are members of the House and Senate education appropriations committees.

“The briefing was fabulous!" Eloise said. "The audience had great questions and the panelists were outstanding. We also had the opportunity to visit a number of congressional offices and advocate for Reading Recovery.”