Innovative Reading Program Grant

Background

A special feature of the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading is the Innovative Reading Program Grants aimed at identifying programs that are implementing effective practices for helping Utah's struggling readers, furthering the love of reading in Utah libraries, schools, and homes.

Through this special application process, a tax-exempt program, school, or library may present details of an existing or new program in terms of its goals, implementation approaches, and outcomes. The "For the Love of Reading" conference, seeks to recognize innovative and effective programs with awardees presenting the organization and results of their program at the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading—For the Love of Reading Conference.

The schools with the top programs will receive a proportion of $2000.00 divided among them. Personnel representing the top reading programs will have the opportunity to present an overview of their programs on Thursday October 22 at the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading conference.

The UVU Forum on Engaged Reading uses a broad and inclusive definition of the term ‘program’ as it is used here in the selection criteria and nomination. Reading programs that are collaborative efforts associated with schools, libraries, PTA/PTO or, other organization making a large and significant influence in the lives of students are considered as well as the tremendous work of any one individual who is making a difference in just few students’ lives so as they meet the selection criteria.

 

Selection Criteria

Nominations are selected on the following criteria:

 

  • Program is a model of the goals of the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading, specifically the implementation of the reading motivation strategies identified in the reading motivation literature. Please refer to the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading: Reading Motivation Toolkit

  • Program is outstanding and responds to a significant need, with an emphasis on improving reading performance for student on all levels, including struggling readers.  Nominations may include programs for struggling readers of all ages.

  • Program was delivered in innovative or creative ways

  • Program is replicable in its entirety or parts at other similar locations.

 

Any tax-exempt program, school, or library within the state of Utah may submit a nomination for the Innovative Reading Program Award. Nominations are accepted through August 15.  Programs selected are recognized publicly at a special dinner on October 22,  2015 at the Zermatt Resort, Midway, Utah.

 

Nomination

5 page limit

  1. Name and contact information.
  2. Statement that the nomination is for the "UVU Forum on Engaged Reading: For the Love of Reading Innovative Reading Program Award".
  3. Name of the individual, program, school, or library. Names and titles of the program organizers/deliverers. How long the program has been in existence.
  4. Why was the program developed? What need was it designed to satisfy? How has that need been recognized?
  5. How has the program addressed the needs of struggling readers and/or advanced readers at-risk?
  6. How has the program contributed to influencing reading in the home environment?
  7. What are the goals and objectives of the program?
  8. How was the program designed? Who participated in designing it?
  9. How does the program operate? What are its main elements or processes?
  10. How is the program unique or unusual? In what ways is the program creative or innovative?
  11. How and to what extent has the program implemented the researched based Reading Motivation principles identified in the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading: Reading Motivation Toolkit
  12. Describe the challenges you have overcome.
  13. What impact has the program had? To what extent has it achieved its objectives? How have program outcomes been evaluated? What data have been collected and what do the data show?
  14. Define the ease of replicating this program in other educational settings. What advice would you give to others trying to replicate it? 

 

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee will recommend qualified award applicants to the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading:  Love of Reading conference planning committee, which will make the final selection.

 

Timeline

  • February 2015: Selection Committee issues call for nominations

  • August 15: Deadline for nominations.
  • September 4-15: Nomination review

  • September 15: Grantees notified.
  • October 22: Grantees honored at the Awards Program dinner during the 2015 UVU Forum on Engaged Reading.
  • October 22: Grant recipients make a presentation about their program at the UVU Forum on Engaged Reading.

Please send questions concerning the grant, selection process, and official nominations to the Selection Committee Chair Doug Gardner via email, .