WebQuest

Literacy

In New York City

Public Schools

Ms. Silverstein

9^th Grade English

John F. Kennedy High School

INTRODUCTION:

The level of literacy among public school students in the United States is alarmingly low. Many experts believe that this is a trend that has been occurring for the past several decades. They feel that this will eventually have a disastrous effect on American society in that we will have an untrained workforce and a population of young adults whose future will be severely compromised.

A large New York City public high school has recently adopted a reading program entitled “Ramp-up to Literacy.” The methodology behind this program is called balanced literacy. Other schools in other cities have adopted other programs based on needs and beliefs about reading and literacy. Who has the right approach to this problem?

You are an investigative journalist who will conduct a web-based research on reading programs in the public schools. The goal of your research will be to become an expert on the problem of student literacy and the existing public policies in place to address this problem. You will also develop your own original public policy.

TASK:

Your task is to create a 3-5-page typewritten report on the problem of student literacy in the United States. You will also make a 3-5-minute oral presentation to the class based on the findings in your report. You will use the websites provided below as well as the six-step Public Policy Analyst worksheets to help you in your research.

PROCESS:

1. In order to complete this web quest, first, you must follow the Public Policy steps found at the TIPS web site. At this web site, you will complete the worksheets related to each of the six Public Policy steps. You will use the websites provided in the Resources section to help you in your research, and you will summarize your findings on the six worksheets.

Worksheets 1-6 on the TIPS PPA website.

a. Define the Problem Worksheet 1 http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/select.html

b. Gather Evidence Worksheet 2 http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/gather.html

c. Identify Causes Worksheet 3

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/identify.html

d. Evaluate Policy Worksheet 4 http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/existing.html

e. Develop Solutions Worksheet 5 http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/solutions.html

f. Select best Solution Worksheet 6

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/bestsol.html

2. Next, write your 3-5-page report on the findings of your research and your own ideas. Your report should be double-spaced and typewritten. It should have a cover page that includes the title, your name, teacher’s name, and class.

3. Finally, you will present this paper to your peers in a 3-5-minutes oral presentation.

RESOURCES:

Use at least five of the following websites to help you in your research:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_n4_v18/ai_18142069

“Illiteracy at Work”

http://www.worldandihomeschool.com/public_articles/2000/november/wis20833.asp

“Illiteracy in America: Improving American Education”

http://www.nrrf.org/essay_Illiteracy.html

“Illiteracy in America: An Incurable Disease. . .”

http://www.willcoxrangenews.com/articles/2004/04/28/news/editorial_opinions/edit2.txt

“A Closer Look: Illiteracy. . .”

http://www.siu.edu/~arc/chapter1.html
”The America Reads Challenge Program”

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/11/1126_021120_TVGeoRoperSurvey.html

“Survey Reveals Geographic Illiteracy”

What is Balanced Literacy?

International Reading Association

CLWG: Children's Literature Web Guide

Literature Circles

Balanced Literacy Middle School

Welcome to Readinglady.com

Reading/Language Arts Center: Cross-Curricular Themes

Instructor Magazine Online

Teaching Strategies: Balanced Literacy

BalancedLiteracy2.html

NY State Dept. of Education

EVALUATION

You will evaluated based on the following rubric:

Task	Excellent	Satisfactory	Minimal Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Worksheets	Organization Student presentation is logical, clear and fully captivates audience interest.	Organization Student presentation is logical, clear and somehow captivates audience interest	Organization Student presentation is logical and somehow clear but not captivating.	Organization Student presentation is illogical and distorted.
Report	Subject Knowledge Student demonstrates full knowledge of subject matter and beyond	Subject Knowledge Student demonstrates knowledge of subject matter	Subject Knowledge Student demonstrates a little knowledge of subject matter subject matter	Subject Knowledge Student does not know subject matter
Presentation	Evaluation: Presentation Rubric- evaluating student presentation Accuracy No grammatical errors	Accuracy Very few grammatical errors	Accuracy Some grammatical errors	Accuracy Too many grammatical errors that distorts meaning of words

This WebQuest addresses the following English Language Arts Standards:

E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a: Produce a report of information.

E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation

CONCLUSION:

When you have completed this activity, you will have a greater understanding of the issues and public policies surrounding literacy and reading programs in American public schools in general, and New York City in particular. You have also demonstrated an ability to develop your own original public policy solutions, and you have presented your research expertly to your peers.