Comprehensive Intervention Model: Nurturing Self-Regulated Readers Through Responsive Teaching

The Comprehensive Intervention Model: Fostering Self-Regulated Readers Through Responsive Teaching by Linda Dorn, Carla Soffos, and Adria Klein introduces educators to an innovative intervention model that puts theory to practice then gives that practice a framework. When implemented with fidelity, the framework has the potential to close the gap between low-progress readers and their grade-level peers.

The Comprehensive Intervention Model (CIM) organizes essential educational theory and effective instructional practices under a complete, layered intervention model. CIM includes both a professional book and resource manual that correlates the intent behind the Response to Intervention (RTI) movement. This well-researched and practical resource begins by laying the theoretical foundation for its methodology before describing its multi-tiered system of instruction across a range of components. The book concludes with a collection of examples that show the model in action.

The CIM professional book includes:

• High-quality, differentiated classroom instruction
• A portfolio of evidence-based interventions
• A seamless assessment system at an individual and system level
• School-embedded professional learning for increasing teacher efficacy and building capacity in schools

Beyond boxed programs and quick-fix options, the authors outline and advocate for an intervention approach that includes a commitment to systemic reflection, teacher development, precise assessments, and data-driven, responsive instruction―all centering on student needs.

The resource manual provides administrators, coaches, and teachers with the tools needed to implement the CIM with fidelity including planners, guide sheets, observation forms, data collection forms, phonics and word learning guides, and more. Use these two books together to support a Response to Intervention (RTI) method for closing the gap between low-progress readers and their grade-level peers.

Carla Soffos has been a clinical literacy coach and Reading Recovery Teacher Leader at the University of Arkansas and is currently training literacy coaches and CIM specialists in partnership with Saint Mary’s College in California. She has thirty-seven years of experience in education, including teaching in the primary grades and literacy coaching in grades kindergarten to eight. She is co-author with Linda Dorn on many professional texts and staff development videos including the new and expanded Comprehensive Intervention Model book through Stenhouse.

Adria Klein, Ph.D., is a Reading Recovery and CIM/CLM Trainer and program director at Saint Mary's College of California. She has her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in Reading and ESL. Dr. Klein is the co-author of numerous professional books and articles, as well as children's books.

Linda Dorn, who passed away in September, 2019, was a professor of reading education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she directed the UALR Center for Literacy. She taught graduate classes in literacy theory, research, classroom practice, and literacy leadership, and had twenty-seven years of experience in education, including teaching at the elementary, intermediate, and college levels.