District Considers Early Morning Reading Program
School might be starting a little bit earlier in the morning for some Huntington School District students. Officials are trying to work out the details necessary to launch an intensive reading support program for at-risk first graders to increase their letter naming skills and reading fluency.
The possible plan would see first grade students who fall into the 11th to 24th percentile on the AIMSweb Letter Naming and Sound Fluency R-CBM invited to participate in the program. Students who show progress will be released from the program to provide opportunities for other youngsters who need the extra support.
Should the program be established, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kenneth A. Card, Jr. said that students from Flower Hill, Jefferson, Southdown and Washington primary schools “will meet in small groups at their respective buildings with our certified reading specialists for two days per week for intensive intervention services in the area of letter and sound recognition using research-based practices that have promise for the student population that will be invited to participate in this program.”
If it is approved, the program would run for 45 minutes prior to the start of the regular day. Bus transportation will be provided to all participants. Officials said the program would continue through the end of the school year in June 2013.
“The parents of all participating students will be invited to a series of workshops that will provide them with helpful strategies to support their children throughout the remainder of the school year,” Dr. Card said. “Workshops will be provided by the reading specialists under the guidance and supervisor of our English Language Arts Coordinator Angela Berner.”
Program related costs for teaching staff, materials and supplies would be covered by state legislative bullet aid. The initiative would utilize one or two reading teachers in each of the primary buildings. District officials would periodically review data to determine if students attending the program are making adequate progress.
A decision on whether to move ahead with the program is expected soon.