Summer School Reading Initiative:

My Reading Coach

And Reading Achievement for ALL

Important and crucial topic nationwide.

Reading achievement is a vital part of a child’s educational program. (NCLB, 2001).

Statement of the Problem

Phonological awareness (K-3) Second-language learners Printed material v. Computer program

problem cont.

Students progressing into the next grade; not reading on grade level

Special education referrals

Review of Related Literature A good foundation of phonological awareness has shown

to be a predictor of success in reading and writing (Troia, 1999).

Children from different ethnic backgrounds are experiencing difficulty in their reading development (Droop, 2003).

literature cont.

Print-based material are fixed, not recursive and too confined (Karchmer, 2001).

Building on a solid foundation of research, the Reading First initiative allows funds to be utilized to help local school districts eliminate the reading deficit by establishing high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through grade 3 (U.S. Department of Education, 2005).

Demographics

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20

40

60

80

100

120

H W AA A/PI N.A

Hacienda Heights YISD

010

203040

506070

8090

E. D. LEP

Hacienda Heights YISD

Student Success Initiative

Created in 1999 by Texas legislature for Reading and Math. (TEA, 2004).

3rd Grade and 5th Grade

Future mandates

HHES Reading Programs

Balanced Literacy Approach

Guided Reading Accelerated Reader (AR) Authentic Literacy Instruction

Reading Interventions

Reading Recovery/Descubriendo la lectura

TAKS Academies

My Reading Coach (Pilot Study)

My Reading Coach Computer based software program developed by Jim

Larabee - a speech pathologist and 25 years experience as a reading teacher.

Utilizes a cognitive learning theory approach

Provides a structured integrated approach to teach phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and text comprehension – all are required components of an effective reading program according to federal research.

Implementation of Program

Summer School Initiative Teacher recommendations Targeted for upcoming at- risk 3rd grade

students Small daily reading groups My Reading Coach software Collection of data

Significance of Program

Increase student test scores in all content areas

Decrease number of Special Education referrals

Increase students’ overall reading ability (decoding/comprehension)

Preparation for TAKS grades Student motivation/increased self-esteem

towards reading

Timeline

May 2005

Finalize program details

June 2005

Seek funding sources

January 2006

Teacher training

March 2006

Parent letter mail-out

April 2006

Teacher recommendation

June 2006Implementation of program

July 2006

Program evaluation

August 2006

Post survey

Budget

Item Description Quantity Amount

Teacher training 1 $450.00

Stipends 2 $3,000.00

Software 20 $22,500.00

Office supplies 1 Lot $5,000.00

CompEarphones 20 $200.00

Miscellaneous 1 $2,000.00

Total $28,650.00

Program Evaluation

Qualitative Methods– Parent surveys– Teacher surveys

Quantitative Methods– TAKS Scores– My Reading Coach progress reports