INSPIRE Project - Kindergarten Readiness
The goal of INSPIRED is to ensure that pre-kindergarten children identified as at-risk due to language challenges, disabilities, homelessness or low income status enter kindergarten maximally prepared for reading success.
Cathy Davis
Early Reading First Grant Coordinator

INSPIRED Project Video
INSPIRED Project Videos (High Speed Internet Connection Required)

Examination of PALS Data
Spring, 2005

INSPIRED -- A PROJECT INSPIRED BY NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Monday, August 23, 2004
Wren recently concluded, " Although they started out with different performance levels, by the end of the year, African American students, Caucasian students, and Hispanic students were performing approximately equally. Thus, there is some evidence that the INSPIRED project is helping to 'level the playing field' for disparate groups of students."

"Sage on the Stage" The importance of teaching training, mentoring and follow-up
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
An interview with Dr. Susan Keehn, assistant professor of reading and consultant to the INSPIRE Project
Also coined "Spray and Pray," the typical professional development consists of an "expert" presenting lots of information and teachers sitting as passive recipients of this information.  Rarely is there follow-up accountability for teachers to DO something with the new information.  Interaction between presenter and participants is also generally limited.  

About Getting INSPIRED: An Interview with Cathy Davis
Monday, June 6, 2005
Michael F. Shaughnessy
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico
Tell us about Project INSPIRED. What prompted it? Round Rock I.S.D. is a rapidly growing district. Our demographics have also shifted. The federal government issued requests for applications for Early Reading First, a preschool initiative. We recognized that our achievement levels were  acceptable for many children, but for others their performance was spiraling downward.  We had significant gaps among various student groups and wanted to develop a staff development model to improve student achievement for four year olds.

Interview with Dawn Pearce, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher INSPIRE Project
Monday, June 6, 2005
J immy Kilpatrick
EducationNews.org
What have you learned from this project?
During the INSPIRE project I have learned that with intense, research based and  age-appropriate literacy instruction my students can make significant progress within a school year.

Interview with Nancy Beleckis, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Dawn Pearce ( INSPIRE Project) Berkman Elementary School Round Rock Independent School District 
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
J immy Kilpatrick
EducationNews.org
1. What have you learned from this project?   I have learned how important early intervention is in my school population.  I have been given the tools to use to help the children be ready to enter kindergarten with the ability to learn as well as their peers.