Project Proposal Reading Strategies for First Graders

Last Revised: [08/29/18]

Reading Strategies for First Graders Project Proposal

Project Manager: Nuong Nguyen
Sponsor: John E. Steinbeck School
Prepared by: Nuong Nguyen

Revision History
Revision date Revised by Approved by Description of change

1. Project Goal

Goal: Develop instructional modules to teach first graders reading strategies to help them with
word recognition, word patterns, and to build automaticity while reading

2. Problem/Opportunity Definition
The problem is 38% of first graders are reading below grade level. So every year that the
students move on to the next grade level, the gap gets bigger. According to the Common Core
State Standards (CCSS) students are expected to meet each grade level’s expectations and goals
in order to be college and career ready. The students should be able to read short vowels, long
vowels, digraphs, words with inflectional endings, and two-syllable words (NGA Center &
CCSSO, 2017). However, according to the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), more
than one-third of the first graders are only able to read the short and long vowels by the end of
the year, and the majority only knew one to two reading strategies while decoding words. As a
result, those students struggling will require pull out remedial education to help support their
reading skills, which cost the school more money.

3. Proposed Solution
My solution is to teach the first graders reading strategies. There will be seven eLearning
modules. It will be a blended delivery approach. The teacher will first introduce the reading
strategy to the whole class with visual aids. Then the students will be given some examples to
practice with their partners. Afterwards, the students will get to go on their laptops for
independent practice. The instruction will be delivered in a learning management system (LMS).
Each eLearning module will contain narration, videos, graphics, and animation, created using
Adobe Captivate. By teaching students early on how to read, this will help students become
successful readers in the next grade level as well as reduce the amount of students in remedial
education.

4. Project Selection & Ranking Criteria

Project benefit category:

❑ Compliance/Regulatory X Efficiency/Cost reduction ❑ Revenue increase

Portfolio fit and interdependencies
Fast Foundation for Project Management – Project Proposal
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Proposal.doc
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Project Proposal Reading Strategies for First Graders
Last Revised: [08/29/18]

This project aligns with what the school district is teaching, such as balance literacy
and close reading. It also supports the Wonders reading program, System 44, READ
180, and Lexia.
Project urgency
The school should implement this project as soon as possible, since it benefit the
students learning how to read.

5. Cost/Benefit Analysis
Tangible Benefits
Benefit
Improvement on the Developmental Reading Assessment
Low cost for Steinbeck School to implement the eLearning modules
Increase in student achievement
Improve students’ reading skills
Teachers will respond positively to students’ reading growth
Value & Probability
Value estimated at $105k in teachers’ salary for remediation classes
Assumptions Driving Value
Reduce the need for remedial and intervention classes full-time
Intangible Benefits
Benefit
Increase students’ reading self-efficacy
Cultivate a love of reading
Value & Probability
The costs of the remediation teachers ranges from $30k-$55k. Students will spend
more time in class with their primary teacher and less time pulled out for remedial
classes. The teacher will get to know the students better and build a positive
relationship.
Assumptions Driving Value
Reduce the need for remedial and intervention classes full-time
Cost Categories Amount
Internal Labor hours: Approx. 30 hours @ $1200.00
$40/hr
External costs None anticipated
Labor (consultants, contract labor): No
additional cost for this project

Fast Foundation for Project Management – Project Proposal

Reference The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management
Filename: Project
Proposal.doc
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Project Proposal Reading Strategies for First Graders
Last Revised: [08/29/18]

Equipment, hardware or software: Laptops

(The school already has laptops available.)
List other costs such as travel & training:
None

Financial Return
TBD

Business Requirements
1. The principal will be looking for increase in student achievement.
2. First-grade teachers will need to spend a portion of the day teaching the reading strategies.

Scope
Major project activities
1. Appt with principal, Christina Palmer
2. Appt with first-grade teachers, Hamil and Velasquez
3. Discuss with Drs Fischer, Farrington, Su
Out of scope activities that are critical to the success of the project

Major Obstacles
1. Blended Instruction: Teachers may not spend any time introducing the reading strategies
and just rely on the eLearning modules.
2. Requires good internet connection
3. May not be considered a high priority by the school
4. Potential resistance to change

Risks
Dr. Fischer: 1. I would say there are risks associated with adoption in the school and
attitudes of other teachers toward it. There is also a risk that the students won't like it. But
you are getting them in the first grade where success at reading will develop a positive
attitude in the children toward school. These are only my comments. it is up to you to
assess the risks.

Please extend the schedule beyond our class. Be realistic about what you will encounter
and include tasks to plan for that.

Schedule Overview
Estimated Project Completion Date: [11/6/18]

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Reference The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management
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Proposal.doc
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Project Proposal Reading Strategies for First Graders
Last Revised: [08/29/18]

Major Milestones
Inputs: Who? Week 1 Week 2 Week 3
What and
8/26 9/2 9/9
/or How?
Discuss Dr. F
any
Dr.
capstone
Farrington
concerns
Appt with Hamil,
first-grade Velasquez
teachers
Appt with Dr. Palmer
Principal
Green: completed; Yellow: Still need to be completed
External Milestones Affecting the Project
TBD

Impact of Late Delivery

None

Fast Foundation for Project Management – Project Proposal

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Proposal.doc
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