Seven Elements Important to Successful Implementation of Early Literacy Intervention

The objective of this article is to describe seven elements important to successful implementation of early literacy intervention. The seven elements are drawn from research as well as from the authors' recent randomized controlled trial of effective early literacy interventions in kindergarten through second grade in 55 schools across Florida. The seven elements are (a) the importance of researcher-practitioner partnerships; (b) determining the need for early intervention; (c) assessment selection and data use; (d) evaluating curriculum and instructional materials for use in early intervention; (e) scheduling time for intervention; (f) selecting, training, and supporting interventionists; and (g) locating space and maintaining open communications among interventionists, teachers, and parents. Finally, school leaders must provide early intervention with sufficient intensity and duration to accelerate students' catch-up growth in order to meet grade-level proficiency benchmarks.