Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
about the Adolescent Literacy Coaching Project (ALCP)

 

DEFINITIONS 

Q: What is a cadre?
A:  A cadre is a group of participants that train together in the ALCP initiative, beginning with the initial eight-day summer academies. The cadre provides a support system for each participant as literacy coaching skills are enhanced. 

Q: What is a community of practice?
A: Part of the ongoing support is enrollment of the coaches in an online community of practice. This format serves two specific purposes: 1) coaches can share, learn, support, and mentor each other from any location; and 2) coaches accomplish a portion of their graduate credit hours in an online environment. 

Q: What is the mini-grant?
A: The mini-grant is awarded to the district on behalf of the school(s) that has had a teacher accepted into the project as a literacy coach. A grant of no less than $6,500 will be awarded each year of the project (two years).  The grant is based on a cost-reimbursement process. 

Q: What does the mini-grant cover?
A: The grant covers the following expenses:
  • mileage (for trainings)
  • overnight lodging for the coach to attend mandatory trainings and meetings
  • equipment (i.e., technology software, laptop for the coach’s professional development)
  • resources for teachers related to ALCP objectives
  • stipends for study groups
  • a small stipend for the coach to compensate for before and after school time implementing coaching
  • funds for the continued professional development of the coaches own Individual Growth Plan (IGP).

A budget narrative outlines the acceptable limits and reasonable expenditures that support the grant. The coach is responsible for providing direct oversight of the individual ALCP budget. Purchases made by the coach will remain the property of the school in which the coach served at the conclusion of the project. 

Q: What is a reimbursement grant?
A: Grant funds are not directly allocated to the district or school participating in ALCP. Expenses for coaching activities are incurred at the local level first, and then invoices should be submitted to CCLD for reimbursement.  Expenses that total more than the mini-grant allocation or are not compliant with the ALCP grant guidelines will not be reimbursed.

DATES

Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Applications are not being taken for the 2008-2010 Cadre, please fill out an interest survey.
 
Q: Why the late application date?
A: Applications must be completed by the applicant, the principal, and district superintendent. Literacy coach positions may need Site Based approval or be addressed at a board meeting at the district level. These meetings are monthly and so we gave time to allow for processing through the school and district system.  
          
Q: How long will the grant be offered? If I can’t apply this year can I apply next year?
A: Originally intended to run to 2010, ALCP has been forced to finish the second year of the second cadre (2007-2009).
 

QUALIFICATIONS (School)

Q: Will fairly high CATS scores disqualify us from participating?
A:  No. Increased comprehension and literacy strategies benefit all students. Any Kentucky school may apply for a literacy coach, regardless of academic indexes or CATS data. 

Q: Can a school participate in both the Striving Readers Grant and ALCP?
A:  No. The coaching requirements and evaluation components of these two initiatives were created for different purposes.  Therefore, there should be no overlap between projects.  

Q: Will a school that currently has a math coach be able to participate in ALCP?
A: Yes. Math coaches work exclusively with math teachers. Literacy coaches in ALCP work with all content area teachers.

 QUALIFICATIONS (Position)

Q: What education and experience is required to apply?
A: Applicants must have a Master’s degree and three years of teaching experience. The applicant must be employed in a Kentucky school district working with grades 4-12. The applicant must be a Kentucky resident. 

Q: Do you have to be a full time coach?
A: Yes. The grant specifies that the individual serving as the ALCP coach work as a full time coach.  

Q: Does an applicant have to be a reading specialist/ English or language arts teacher to apply?
A: No. While having some background knowledge of reading is helpful, it is not necessary. During the two years in the project, training will be provided to enhance literacy and coaching skills. 

Q: Can this be a district position?
A: No. The grant guidelines, based on research of other successful coaching models, indicate that the ideal ratio is 1 coach per 20 teachers. The project recommends one coach per school to gain the most benefit from the position. Exceptions in the first year have been allowed, however, these special circumstances should be worked out with the ALCP Director.  

Q: Can the ALCP coach still be cluster leader, dept chair, Title One Contact, etc. and still be a literacy coach?
A: Yes. A school leader with several additional duties may have great difficulty in balancing the responsibilities associated with these additional roles. Ultimately that may have an adverse impact on the success of the literacy coach. ALCP recommends administrators and the coaching candidate assess the various responsibilities of the literacy coach and other leadership roles in order to make the best decision for the school. 

Q: Can someone in a current coaching position apply?
A: Yes. The idea of coaching or instructional leadership is not new. ALCP will offer enhanced literacy and leadership training.
    

GRANT (money)

 
Q: What happens after the two years are over?
A: The grant funding ends for each participant after two years. The model of a literacy coach is a powerful way to incorporate professional development in schools. ALCP encourages districts and schools to consider the support of this position as a long-term objective to enhance teacher professional development and student achievement. 

Q: How can the school afford a literacy coach?
A: There is no one standard response to this inquiry as each district/school has devised a variety of ways to fund the position. Many principals are coordinating a number of funding sources to fund the position.
   

REQUIREMENTS

 
Q: Does the applicant have to choose the host institution that is geographically closest to them?
A: No. However, ACLP strongly recommends participants attend the regional institution to minimize travel expenses and other related costs.   

Q: Is the involvement of district/school/superintendents required for a candidate to apply?
A: Yes. A coordinated and concerted effort to increase literacy is the hallmark of a successful coaching program. The grant purposefully looks for support at the district level as well as acknowledgment and cooperation from the school administration. The consent and approval of the district and building administration is a mandatory requirement in the project. 

Q: How much travel is involved as a coach?
A: Minimal. Coaches are required to attend two eight-day summer academies and four KDE sponsored days over the two years of the project. Monthly follow-ups will be held. Overnight lodging may vary according to the distance traveled and the nature of the event. 

OTHER

Q: Who pays the coach’s salary?
A: The coach’s salary is paid by the school and district. ALCP pays for the professional development and training of the individual and additional professional development offered at the school level.  

Q: Do the two years as a coach count toward retirement?
A: Yes. The coach remains a school/district employee and the time as a literacy coach counts as years toward retirement just as if the individual was teaching in a classroom.

Q: What does the graduate credit involve?
A: The graduate credit is six credit hours each of the two years. Below is the intended schedule for acquiring the credit hours:

  • 3 hours: (first year) eight-day summer academy, two KDE sponsored days, and two university follow-ups
  • 3 hours: (first year) spread out over the fall and spring of the first year including participation in an online community which post assignments throughout the year related directly to literacy coach work. Grades are assessed and earned through the respective ALCP university site directors.
  • The second year repeats the first year cycle, however, the content and training are more advanced (i.e., research action project).
Syllabi and clear, rigorous expectations are presented by the directors. Participants of the project must be enrolled in the graduate program in order to receive credit.  Twelve graduate hours of credit are awarded by the collaborating universities.  

Q:  May anyone attend the Summer Academies, even if they are not officially a part of ALCP?
A:  No. The spots are reserved for ALCP participants only.  However, please visit our website (www.kentuckyliteracy.org) for related activities.