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The single most important thing we can do for our children educationally is teach them to read. Yet, under Tennessee's new, more rigorous, academic standards, only 47% of our third graders are proficient readers.
In August, the Great Schools Partnership began piloting with Knox County Schools a first grade reading intervention program in five schools. Modeled after our highly successful kindergarten intervention program, this project utilizes a literacy coach, individualized staff development, and small-group and individual interventions that provide up to an additional hour of reading instruction per day. It is an "all hands on deck" approach to reading proficiency.
We chose first grade because research makes clear that this is the optimal time to master basic reading skills. Moreover, our data shows that 80% of students who are not proficient readers after first grade are not proficient after fifth grade. In short, if we don't solve the reading challenge in first grade, it rarely gets solved.
Outcomes: The key outcome indicator for the program is a 75% success rate with all children who need intervention. Preliminary data suggests that we are surpassing this goal. At Norwood Elementary, for example, over 74% of the students requiring intervention have already become proficient readers with more than 3 months left in the school year. Proficiency scores at the other pilot schools, as of February 23, were as follows:
Inskip Elementary: 73%
Green Elementary: 73%
Christenberry Elementary: 75%
Beaumont Elementary: 75%
As you can see, this preliminary data is very encouraging. Our goal is to scale the program up to a dozen schools by August 2012.
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