Module 1 Analyzing a School-wide Literacy Program Instructional leaders make many decisions related to strengthening student literacy. Research suggests schools with the most effective literacy programs make improvements both in their instructional programs and infrastructures. Such infrastructure improvements include establishing a comprehensive, coordinated literacy program and providing ongoing, formal, extensive professional development to teachers. In this assignment, you will analyze the instructional practices and infrastructure of a literacy program currently in place in a school, preferably your own. Create a Word document for your response. Use APA format. Create a title page and references page in APA format. Follow the “Directions for Completion” to complete Parts 1 and 2. Part 1: Literacy Program Analysis Survey In this Analysis assignment, you will complete a survey to assess a school’s literacy program, preferably your own. You will analyze both the instructional program and the school infrastructure supporting the program. Portions of the survey were adapted from research on outstanding literacy programs conducted by Patty, Maschoff, and Ransom (1996). Directions for Completion: Place an X in the column that best describes your school’s performance on each literacy characteristic. Use the data you generate from the survey to create a visual summary (in the format of your choice) of the data you collect here. Include this visual summary in your assignment submission. Do NOT include the actual full survey. Use the data you generate to respond to the questions in Part 2. Characteristic Rating Outstanding Adequate Needs Improvement Instructional Program Reading and writing skills are taught explicitly, directly, and systematically using research-based strategies. There are opportunities during each school day for vocabulary development to occur both directly and indirectly. Teachers use multiple strategies and combinations of strategies to teach vocabulary and reading comprehension. Teachers model their thinking processes, encourage student inquiry, and keep students motivated and engaged. Learning-to-read and reading-to-learn skills are taught in the school’s literacy program. Multicultural resources and materials are used across the curriculum. The school provides diverse texts that present a wide range of topics at a variety of reading levels. Reading and intensive writing instruction are integrated and taught across the curriculum. Students have multiple opportunities each day to practice their writing skills. Teachers use differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. Teachers use strategic tutoring that includes teaching learning strategies and helping students with content assignments. Teachers use ongoing formative assessments to assess student learning and determine opportunities for differentiation. Teachers use technology to support literacy instruction and practice for all student groups. Literacy Program Infrastructure The school has a comprehensive, coordinated literacy program monitored by a literacy committee composed of teachers, administrators, interested parents, and community members. The literacy program has committed, supportive instructional leadership and a vision of literacy that is shared by all stakeholders. A clear, well thought-out definition of literacy is used to determine student success. Teacher teams are both interdisciplinary and interdepartmental. Parents support the literacy program at home and at school. Community volunteers are actively involved in the school’s literacy program. Teachers work collaboratively with the school librarian to strengthen student literacy. The school has a systematic process for determining when students need intervention or enrichment and how those services are provided. Intervention and enrichment programs support basic literacy skills. Time is extended each school day for both literacy instruction and independent reading, such as wide reading. There is ongoing summative assessment of both students and programs. Students’ cultures, languages, and prior knowledge are taken into account when making decisions about literacy. Ongoing, “formal, extensive” professional development in literacy is built into the school schedule and provided for all staff. Teachers understand the importance of digital literacy and how to integrate technology into the literacy program. Monitoring of the literacy program is careful, continuous, and systematic and includes collecting literacy-focused assessment data on a regular basis, analyzing and evaluating the data, and taking action to improve student performance. Part 2: “Analyzing a School-wide Literacy Program” Paper  Compose a five- to seven-page “Analyzing a School Literacy Program” paper. Respond to each question in a well-developed paragraph. Follow APA formatting for citations and references page. Include an introduction and a conclusion. Based on the survey, what do you see as the greatest strength of the school’s literacy program? Address one strength. Based on the survey, what do you see as the greatest area of need in the school’s literacy program? Address one area of need. What data are available to support the area of need you have identified? Describe the data (actual numbers) and source. For example, you may use a School Report Card, School Improvement Plan, or formative/summative data collected at the school. If you had the opportunity to chart a new direction for the school’s literacy program, what steps would you take?

Please respond to this discussion using 100 words or more. From being in an MBU POLS course to becoming a Missouri legislator. You are most of the way through this political-science survey course. You have a fast-growing understanding of American politics and Missouri's place in it. So, why don't you, say, run for the Missouri State Legislature? Students in MBU courses, such as this, have, in fact, gone on to do so successfully. Some years ago (hence the low-resolution of the video) I recorded an online video interview of one of those students, Scott Dieckhaus. You know the drill: watch the video below, comment on it in real time in the "two cents" box, and summarize your points in the regular discussions thread here.

Write a 1-2 page essay (double space) on the process of passing health reform, based on the "Obama's Deal video [Length 56:16] (Links to an external site.)".ACA, or Obamacare, remains a highly controversial policy, and many opinions have been expressed about it. I don't want you to like it or hate it. I just want you to analyze what you have read in your textbook and saw and read on the "Obama's Deal" video website (Links to an external site.) with some degree of objectivity and critical thought. You can refer to my earlier statements on netiquette and political politeness on that matter.Approach this assignment with the following questions in mind:How well does the video match up with the textbook and the authors’ description of the legislative process. Be sure to cite specifics from the textbook. Does the textbook make the process look more or less confusing or difficult than the video? Explain in your essay. What are the most surprising aspects of the ACA as covered in the video?What might have been done differently?Essay Formatting RequirementsEssay Length: Your paper should be 1-2 double-spaced pages with size 11-12 font, one inch margins, and saved to a Microsoft Word document.Sources: It is fine for you to rely entirely on the video and textbook as your resources for the essay. However, you can search for other references that lend weight to your analysis. You may go to NOVA Library website (Links to an external site.)to search for other referenceNEXT SECTIONPart I: Initial ResponseAmong the many people a president appoints in the Executive Branch of government (from the Cabinet, to the Executive Office of the President, which includes the White House Office), identify three positions that you think are among the most important officials to help a president be successful and include the following:Explain why these positions are most crucial for a president’s success (aside from the president him- or herself)?How do those officials interact with the president (think about the frequency and quality of access)?Refer to the textbook and, if necessary, other resources to make sure you understand the roles of these three officials and explain why they are so important. Please focus on the role itself, although you may cite examples of people who held those roles to help explain your rationale.Each position you choose should be supported by a paragraph of multiple sentences.Remember to properly cite all resources.The strongest submissions will include historical examples of officials and programs or policy successes that support your position.