Research & Data
AARI Learning Labs
Learning Labs
ALL AARI Educators are Welcome!
What: Join AARI classes to see students and teachers in action and engage in practice-centered dialogue with other AARI educators.
How: Some Learning Labs will be in-person during the school day. Other Learning Labs will be virtual from 4-5:30 pm.
Registration information is shared through the AARI email listserv. If you are not on the listserv and would like to be added, please email [email protected].
New to AARI?
Join us for a full year of professional learning that includes:
5-day Summer Institute
AND a minimum of 15 additional hours during the school year. Choose from:
- 6 Design Studios
- 9 Learning Labs – in-person and virtual options available
- 9 Virtual Meetups
PLUS 2 (minimum) job-embedded coaching sessions
Self-paced, online QRI modules
State required clock hours (SCECHs) available
New AARI Educator Learning Dates
Ongoing AARI Learning
Ongoing AARI Learning Includes…
- Advanced AARI
- Design Studios
- Learning Labs
- Virtual Meetups
- Online, Self-Paced Video Modules
- Online, Self-Paced QRI Modules
Why join AARI ongoing learning?
- Learning is social. Learning together increases our growth as educators.
- We’re always learning something new, and we want to learn from each other.
- In addition to sharing our learning, we want to share the resources we’re developing based on educators’ feedback.
- It’s available to all AARI educators at no additional cost (except Advanced AARI).
Advanced AARI
When: July 31-August 1, 2024 from 9:00a-3:00p
What: Advanced AARI is two days of professional learning to build deeper understanding of the AARI framework and collaborate with AARI colleagues. In this blended format, AARI educators engage in whole group learning and breakout sessions around participants’ topics of interest. This is for educators who have attended the AARI (or ACRI) Institute.
Where: In-person at Oakland Schools Conference Center
Additional Learning Opportunities
Registration information is shared through the AARI email listserv. If you are not on the listserv and would like to be added, please email [email protected].
About AARI
What is AARI?
The Adolescent Accelerated Reading Initiative (AARI) is a Tier 2/3 (MTSS) short-term, intensive intervention that accelerates reading comprehension and critical thinking in informational text. AARI is for general and special education students in grades three through twelve and English Learners with a minimum overall WIDA proficiency score of 3.0. The instructional framework is built on evidence-based strategies and culture-centered research.
How does AARI work?
AARI focuses on critical thinking with informational text to help students access content from texts.
AARI emphasizes small group instruction that meets students where they are and accelerates their reading through instruction built around:
- Community
- Text-Based Inferencing and Critical Thinking
- Question Answer Relationship (QAR) and Questioning the Author (QtA)
- Text Structure
AARI seeks to support students in building more positive reader identities that empower them in all aspects of their lives.
What are the required elements for successful AARI implementation?
- Small groups based on reading levels
- Daily instruction
- Student growth measured by pre/post Qualitative Reading Inventory
- Ongoing professional learning for all AARI educators that includes coaching, after-school support, and learning labs
- Administrative support in scheduling small classes and release time for assessing students
What is the Teaching Approach?
- Responsive teaching
- Asking inferential questions that stretch students’ thinking
- Text analysis through text structures
- Moving students to independence
- Building community
Who would benefit from AARI?
- At-risk, general education students reading below grade level
- Students receiving special education services
- Long-term English Learners
Interested In Finding Out More?
- Contact Jill Maneice
- Attend an Observation Day
- Attend the AARI Summer Institute (August 5-9, 2024)
- Attend Advanced AARI on July 31-August 1, 2024 (for teachers who have already attended the initial training)
- Complete the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI) Training
- Self-paced, virtual module available – contact Jill Maneice
Jill Maneice
Jill joined Oakland Schools after a decade as an ELA, political science, and reading intervention teacher in a local high school. In her role at Oakland Schools, Jill is a reading interventionist with District and School Services (School Culture and Climate Unit) and partners with Special Education colleagues. She works largely with the Adolescent Accelerated Reading Initiative, a reading intervention framework that accelerates students’ literacy skills (focused on reading comprehension) and critical thinking in expository text for grades three through twelve. Jill supports AARI educators and their colleagues of various disciplines through an ever learning and growing community of dedicated educators.
Jill also supports educators and districts in accelerating reading comprehension in non-fiction texts, leveraging speaking and listening in literacy learning, exploring strategies for questioning students in text, making text visible through text structures, and implementing classroom libraries. One of the best parts of being an educator is being a lifelong learner, so Jill is always busy learning more alongside classroom teachers.
Growing up, Jill lived all over Michigan, but came to the area to attend Oakland University (Go Golden Grizzlies!). Outside of the office, she is involved in a local faith community, stays active, mentors young women, and enjoys living life with her two favorite guys.