Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to the issue briefs on this topic that are focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• Students acquire the academic and social skills to successfully function in today's world. 
  • Inadequate academic skills for students at the middle school level which leads to consistently poor test scores, poor social skills and eventually leads to high drop out rates before completing high school.

Policy Options / Program Models   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled

• Require School Districts to update yearly literacy information. 

• Many factors and ideas work together to develop a successful school, success in terms of graduating students who are truly prepared for the world they are about to enter. [8]  What makes a successful school? 

• The Strategic Literacy Initiative (SLI) is a professional development and research project of WestEd, serving middle, high school and community college educators, teachers leaders, and teacher educators nationally.

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Academic Literacy - Middle and High School - Kansas

•      Academic Literacy - Middle and High School - Topeka, KS

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue

• Academic skills -  Acquired skills from a formal education which enable young students to be productive in liberal and classic studies.  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/academic
• Social literacy - Using social skills to mature into a healthy and productive adult.  http://apha.confex.com/apha/128am/techprogram/paper_12315.htm
• Social skills -  Skills that serve as a complement to a young person's developing congnitive abilities.  http://apha.confex.com/apha/128am/techprogram/paper_12315.htm
• Prose literacy - the ability to read and comprehend documents with continuous text, such as newspaper articles and instructions. http://www.caliteracy.org/nil/
• Document literacy -  the ability to read and understand documents with non-continuous text, such as job applications, maps, and transportation schedules. http://www.caliteracy.org/nil/
• Quantitative literacy -  the ability to perform computations, such as reviewing a bill or balancing a checkbook. http://www.caliteracy.org/nil/