An effective screening tool assesses all skills that are known to be important for learning to read, is evidence-based, fits the context of the school, and has appropriate sensitivity and specificity.
Hire the best school year teachers, get assessment data from the school prior to the start of the program, and then share the results of the child’s experience during the summer with the teacher and administrative staff.
Ways to motivate struggling and reluctant writers include offering freedom of choice and creating opportunities for writing that are not associated with assessment.
Teachers should provide more time in class for revising and help the students take ownership of their drafts as they recognize what they want to change in their writing.
