The South Carolina Reading Initiative (SCRI) is an intensive staff development effort carried out through study groups of teachers and administrators throughout the state. Started in 1999 as part of Governor Jim Hodges' Institute on Reading, the program continues to flourish in several evolving strands.
 In the intitial 3-year strand, over 300 study group teams led by literacy coaches met bimonthly to conduct systematic inquiry into reading research and practice. Coaches worked in participating schools to help teachers make connections between what they were learning and their teaching. Regional coaches, a state department liaison and a university faculty member provided ongoing support. This Initiative was a three-way partnership among the South Carolina State Department of Education, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the University of South Carolina. An OERI research grant is funding a 3-year analysis of the project's impact. Ongoing results are posted to the right.
The second SCRI strand began in August 2002. Known as SC Reads, this effort focuses on early literacy and supports the professional learning of K-3 educators in 32 highest need schools.
New SCRI K-5 phases and SCRI Middle Grades, began their work in the summer of 2003, and SC Reading First began in 2004. The newest phase, SCRI High School has begun with coaches immersing themselves in professional reading and study with other coaches in their region and around the state. Many of the original SCRI coaches continue their affiliation as district and regional coaches within the new SCRI strands or through further monthly Continuing Contact study groups.
|
