Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative

In the early grades, the standards emphasize explicit, systematic phonics instruction as the foundation of literacy. Decoding and fluency are essential to creating proficient readers. “Readers who have strong decoding skills can figure out unfamiliar words so quickly that the process requires no conscious effort,” says Dr. Holly Lane, University of Florida Literacy Institute. When decoding is effortless, a reader’s limited working memory is freed up so the reader can focus on meaning.

The Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative (PELI) aims to improve kindergarten readiness rates and literacy proficiency among Pre-K and elementary school students. The Initiative focuses on kindergarten readiness by extending the science of reading into VPK and K-2 classrooms, where teachers have an opportunity to affect educational achievement through evidence-based instruction. The objective of PELI is to increase the number of students who are reading on grade level before they reach the third grade, when academic progress is assessed. By leveraging high quality professional development with instructional coaching for both Pre-K and K-2 teachers, early student literacy gaps will dissipate more rapidly, effectively preparing students for the more rigorous content of grades 3-5.

The Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative is supported through wide-ranging, specific partnerships with the Helios Education Foundation, the Pinellas Education Foundation, Pinellas County Schools, the Pinellas Early Learning Coalition, the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center, and other local partners supporting the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative to achieve these outcomes.

Participating community-based Pre-K centers: Head Start programs at Connie Mammaro Center, Jordan Park Center and High Point Center, and private early education provider Sprout Academy of St. Petersburg.