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EducationWorks!

Collier County
Early Literacy Initiative

YEAR V: IMPLEMENTATION
YEAR V: RESULTS


EARLY LITERACY AND LEARNING MODEL (ELLM)


VISION:

                   All children enter and begin school with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions they    
                   need to become successful readers and learners.

GOALS:

  • Establish a network of high-performing, literacy-focused, and results-driven early learning centers to serve at-risk Pre-kindergarten children.
  • Increase early literacy achievement of preschool children.
  • Establish literacy and learning networks to share research-based practices and build teacher instructional expertise.

BACKGROUND:

The Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) was introduced to Collier County's at-risk Pre-Kindergarten classrooms in 2004 by the Collier County Early Literacy Partnership for Educational Success (the Partnership). The founding partners were Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Florida Institute of Education (FIE), and community partners that included the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) and the Collier County Public Schools (CCPS).

Three components comprise Collier County’s Early Literacy Initiative. 

  • ELLM, an innovative early learning curriculum created and developed by FIE, is based on research and child development standards.  ELLM is described as a "standards-based early literacy curriculum and instructional support system designed to increase the early literacy achievement of at-risk preschool and kindergarten children.
  • SEEDS (Skills-based Educational Experiences Delivery System), a companion program unique to Collier County and sponsored by the Stranahan Foundation, enriches ELLM through volunteer mentors and the use of specific materials and activities.
  • WOW (Wings on Words), an English Language Learner initiative unique to Collier County, supports ELLM children who are learning English and early literacy skills concurrently.

This transformational literacy collaboration has moved Collier County forward in its commitment to create the same high-quality educational access and opportunity for all of its students.

Early literacy includes the development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are needed to learn to read, write and communicate.


2009-2010 Site Locations

SITE

# of Classes

SITE

# of Classes

A Step Up, GGHS
Avalon Elementary School
Corkscrew Elementary School
Eden Park Elementary School
Estates Elementary School
Even Start VPK
Everglades City Elementary School
FGCU Family Resource
Fun Time Early Childhood Academy
Golden Gate Elementary School
Golden Terrace Elementary School
Guadalupe Center
Highlands Elementary School
Immokalee Child Care Center
INHP Bright Beginnings
Lake Trafford Elementary School

1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
3
5
3
2
1
3

Lely Elementary School
Manatee Elementary School
Mike Davis Elementary School
Naples Park Elementary School
Osceola Elementary School
Palmetto Elementary School
Parkside Elementary School
Pinecrest Elementary School
Redlands Christian Migrant Assoc.
Sabal Palms Elementary School
Shadowlawn Elementary School
Veterans Memorial Elementary School
Village Oaks Elementary School
Vineyards Elementary School
YMCA Child Development Center

2
2
2
1
1
1
3
4
10
1
1
1
3
1
5



PROJECT TIMELINE

2004    The Early Literacy and Learning Model (ELLM) implemented in 56 at-risk pre-kindergarten classrooms throughout Collier              County to serve 850 4-year old students
2005    Skills-based Educational Experiences Delivery System (SEEDS) added the experience of 60+ volunteer mentors (called               LARKS) for ELLM students
2006    Collier Chapter of First Book founded by a LARK who noted ELLM students’ lack of books and wanted to give children books               to begin a home library
2007    English Language Learner initiative “Wings on Words” (WOW) developed and introduced to address the challenge of               learning English and early literacy skills simultaneously WOW enhances ELLM lessons with materials, activities and               instructional strategies to support young English Language Learners.
2008    Served largest student population to date – 1.085 in 65 classrooms.  New assessment tools introduced (Peabody).