In 2003, Grafton Elementary School, Cherry Hill School, and Central School received Reading First grants to improve reading instruction in their schools, grades K-3. In the five years since then, Grafton students have shown steady gains in reading achievement, both in terms of individual growth and as a group. These gains were made not because of one program or initiative, but because of the comprehensive nature of the Reading First grant. Specifically, a comprehensive core program for reading instruction was introduced (Open Court Reading), effective intervention programs were implemented (Fundations, Wilson, LiPPS),
extensive staff development was offered both through classes in reading theory and training sessions for particular programs, ongoing professional development was required through weekly coaching meetings and periodic Literacy Support Team meetings, and an assessment system was established for tracking students' progress throughout the year. As we complete the last year of the grant, we are asssessing our progress in order to make wise decisions about how best to allocate our resources for reading instruction in future years.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION from the U.S. Department of Education
This program focuses on putting proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms. Through Reading First, states and districts receive support to apply scientifically based reading research—and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with this research—to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade. The program provides formula grants to states that submit an approved application. SEAs award subgrants to eligible LEAs on a competitive basis. SEAs fund those proposals that show the most promise for raising student achievement and for successful implementation of reading instruction, particularly at the classroom level. Only programs that are founded on scientifically based reading research are eligible for funding through Reading First.
Please follow these links to additional information designed for parents about helping children learn to read.
You can either click on the red button to get there directly, or cut and paste the URL into your browser window.
This page from the Katy Independent School District has links to information for parents, as well as many links to sites appropriate for children, including online books, games, and puzzles that foster reading development. Most are free. A few may require a subscription to use all the features.
PBS website for Parents and Children About Reading
U.S. Department of Education Parent Page
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