CIM in SDW: What is the Comprehensive Intervention Model? (from Wendy Hamilton)

In the past couple of years, you may have heard the term “sim” pop up in conversations around literacy intervention. This is not referring to a fancy, new game simulation you have to learn about. It’s much more exciting! This “sim” you may have heard about is actually referring to CIM, SDW’s Comprehensive Intervention Model. The CIM includes research-based individual and small-group interventions that align with classroom curriculum. The development of the CIM dates back to 1991 and was designed using the same theories and practices as Reading Recovery, which is also part of SDW’s literacy intervention portfolio. The CIM is a comprehensive and systemic design for matching interventions to the strengths and needs of struggling readers. It includes strategy-based interventions which are “designed to foster the development of self-regulated processes, that is, the student’s capacity to use knowledge, skills and strategies for solving problems, generalizing information, and constructing new learning (p. 2).”1

The CIM has a portfolio of interventions that address student literacy needs at the elementary and secondary levels. Each intervention includes authentic reading and writing opportunities. The primary CIM interventions are: Interactive Writing (K-1), Guided Reading Plus (1-3), Writing Aloud (2-5+) and Comprehension Focus Group (3-8+). Interventionists choose the intervention the best matches the students’ needs to accelerate their literacy growth.

Part of the power of the CIM is that it aligns with classroom instruction. SDW adopted the Comprehensive Literacy Model (CLM) as our framework for universal literacy instruction several years ago. This framework has afforded our learners the opportunity to take advantage of powerful literacy instruction in the form of whole class minilessons, small group instruction and one-on-one conferring. Interventionists implementing CIM interventions work to align their instruction, language and curriculum with our universal instruction. This congruence and collaboration with universal/classroom teachers enhance and accelerate the learning for our readers and writers.

One of the key elements for using the CIM is to use highly trained teachers. SDW has created a training protocol that any teacher wishing to implement a CIM intervention must go through. At this time, SDW is working to train teachers in the various CIM interventions. Title 1 buildings all have CIM Specialists who can implement several of the interventions. There are also some literacy coaches and middle school interventionists who have gone through training for certain CIM interventions. In the near future, we will be training some non-Title elementary teachers in GRP who will then be able to implement that intervention.

Implementing and growing the CIM in SDW is truly exciting! Our interventionists are thoughtfully assessing and matching the best intervention for each learner, collaborating around these learners with classroom teachers, working from an asset model, and growing self-regulated, strategic readers and writers. Knowing this work and student progress is on the rise makes us feel extremely optimistic on where we are headed. If you are interested in learning more about the CIM, you can check out Chapter 1 of Interventions That Work, connect with your building Title 1 Teacher, Literacy Coach or SDW CIM/Literacy Intervention Coach.

1 - Interventions That Work: A Comprehensive Intervention Model for Preventing Reading Failure (2012), Dorn & Soffos

Written by: Wendy Hamilton, SDW CIM/Literacy Intervention Coach & Trainer