We have never had separate reading classes in our middle school.  How many schools offer reading classes?  Where do they find the time for reading classes? 

 Indiana had 230,188 students enrolled in Grades 6-8 during the 2001-2002 school year.  The state reported that 53,268, or 23 percent, of 6-8 students were enrolled in reading classes.  Reading teachers assigned to middle level reading courses 0480-06, 0480-07, 0480-08 must have a reading endorsement, a reading specialist license, or the new young adolescent reading license.  One way to learn how to find time for reading classes is to contact schools that have done this.  A list of Indiana middle grades schools that offer reading courses can be found at </enrollment2002.htm.>  Schedules from some of these schools are available by contacting the Middle Grades Reading Network.

 What is the difference between language arts and reading courses for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students?  The Indiana Department of Education’s Course and Program Descriptions for Indiana Schools describes the difference.  Reading instruction includes word recognition skills, vocabulary, comprehension, independent reading, and literature.  Language arts includes writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. 

What is the difference between the Association for Indiana Media Educators (AIME) and the Indiana Library Federation (ILF)?  ILF is the largest professional organization for Indiana librarians and library supporters.  ILF is made up of five library associations.  AIME is one of those associations. 

Why don’t we have Title I reading in our middle school?  Many Indiana school corporations that once had Title I reading support for middle grades students decided to place emphasis on lower grades.  This started several years ago, so middle grades schools should have few students needing special help, but of course this isn’t the case.  Most middle grades reading teachers believe that support is needed at every level, not just in the primary grades.  The middle grades are a special time when students needing additional reading help can work to prepare for the reading demands of high school.  Another problem is the lack of licensed middle grades reading teachers.  The new Early Adolescent Reading License will help alleviate this problem. 

How can we participate in the Reading Is FAME Program?  This program is designed for students who are struggling in reading and who will have difficulty in high school due to low reading skills.  Training for the program will be provided on August 7-8, 2003.  Ten teachers will be trained for the program, and there will be no cost for the training or materials.  Schools must agree to have a class size of ten students taught by the trained teacher and an aide and provide a signed statement that the school will offer the classes in the fall.  For more information about Reading Is Fame, contact the Middle Grades Reading Network.

If we use reading class time for students to visit the school library to check out books, listen to booktalks, and so forth, will this result in higher reading scores?  Both direct reading instruction and independent reading influence reading achievement.  Keith Lance of the Colorado State Library found in six states that strong school libraries help students to earn high scores on state reading tests when compared to school libraries that had lower levels of professional and total staffing, insufficient collections of print and electronic resources, and less funding.  The important element of independent reading is that students are reading on their own beyond the school day, and students who are encouraged to read newspapers, books, and other print materials do so more than they would without teacher and librarian encouragement.

 Why should we promote books written by Indiana authors?  Indiana can be proud of the large number of authors and illustrators who are lifelong Hoosiers as well as those who were born here but live elsewhere or who have moved to Indiana.  Indiana is a state where reading is valued by citizens as evidenced by Indiana ranking second in the nation in the per capita circulation of public library books.  Many Indiana authors frequently visit schools.  Because we have so many Indiana authors, numerous books in the school library are written by Hoosiers.  For the names of Indiana authors and illustrators, go to<http://www.statelib.lib.in.us.www/ldo/children/>  to find the Directory of Indiana Children’s Authors and Illustrators edited by Sara Laughlin.  Many school librarians place Hoosier Author spine labels on these books so that they can be featured and located with ease.  Labels are available at no cost from the Middle Grades Reading Network.

 When will new reading licenses be available?   Many college and university programs concerning the reading licenses have been approved by the Indiana Professional Standards Board.  For information about programs that have been approved, go to  <http:/www.in.gov/psb.licensing/apbyschool2002/>and click on a college or university, then find reading among the titles.  Indiana middle grades schools indicated in a recent survey that over 200 licensed reading teachers are needed.

 How can we best use newspapers?  The middle grades are an excellent time to offer a unit on using the newspaper.  Most middle grades students are able to read newspapers, but they will benefit from direct instruction and practice on how to use various parts of the newspaper by systematically presenting each part of the newspaper to them.  Copies should be available in school libraries and in homerooms during sustained silent reading.  Many good ideas for using the newspaper are presented in the Newspaper in Education Week tabloid, available through Indiana State Reading Association membership or from local newspapers.

 What materials do you recommend for improving comprehension?  Materials being used in middle grades reading classes around the state include Reading for Comprehension from Continental Press, Be a Better Reader from Globe Fearon, Signature Reading from Jamestown Education, Comprehension Plus from Modern Curriculum Press, Best Practices in Reading from Options, Strategies for Success in Reading from Steck-Vaughn, Reading Lab 3a from SRA, and McCall-Crabbs Standard Test Lessons in Reading from Teachers College Press.  Catalogs from these publishers can probably be found in school catalog files.  An opportunity to see these materials and to speak with publishers’ representatives will occur during the Indiana State Reading Association annual conference in Indianapolis on March 2-4, 2003.

 What are the professional associations for middle grades reading teachers?  Local reading councils and the Indiana State Reading Association are affiliates of the International Reading Association.  Indiana reading councils and the Indiana State Reading Association have joint membership.  When you join a local reading council, you are automatically a member of the state group.  Local reading councils provide opportunities for middle grades reading teachers to work with teachers from other grade levels, teachers from other schools, and higher education reading professors to promote reading throughout their communities.  The Indiana State Reading Association provides publications and conferences.  The International Reading Association is the national organization and has vast resources for middle grades reading teachers.