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Home<\/a> Program Directory<\/a> James Patterson Literacy Challenge<\/a><\/p>\n

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The James Patterson Literacy Challenge<\/h1>\n

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The University of Florida Literacy Institute has partnered with the James Patterson Foundation to address Florida\u2019s literacy crisis through the James Patterson Literacy Challenge.\u00a0 Two of the biggest problems facing low-performing schools are (a) many children arrive at school each year unprepared for the literacy expectations of their grade level and (b) many teachers are unprepared to address the needs of struggling readers.\u00a0 Past attempts to address these problems have tended to rely on one-size-fits-all curricula, superficial professional development efforts, and supposed quick fixes, none of which have led to sustained changes.\u00a0 We propose a wholly different approach.<\/p>\n

The James Patterson Literacy Challenge will address these persistent problems by working with schools to change their literacy culture, from one where failure is routine and often accepted as inevitable to one where failure is simply not an option.\u00a0 We will accomplish this through transformative professional learning experiences for teachers and school leaders.<\/p>\n

Here are the highlights of the James Patterson Literacy Challenge:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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Online Professional Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are developing online professional development that will be made available to all teachers across the state.\u00a0 This PD is designed to increase the capacity of individual teachers to teach reading effectively, diagnose reading problems, and intervene appropriately using evidence-based methods.\u00a0 The online PD platform will feature the following:<\/p>\n