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Creston reading program deemed ?first class?Dec 03, 2008 (The Creston News Advertiser - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Habits can be the hardest thing to break, but over the past three years Creston Schools have risen to the challenge. Three years ago, the introduction of Reading First at Creston Elementary and Early Childhood Center forced teachers to rethink their teaching styles. "We were able to make a teaching change in a school setting, which is traditionally very hard to do," said Elementary Principal Brad Baker. Reading First is a funded program that stemmed from the No Child Left Behind Act. The goal of reading First is to improve reading comprehension for kindergarten through third-grade students, by implementing teaching strategies proven to work by research. The program emphasizes phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Creston was identified as one of 47 "Cohort 2" schools, which is based on students receiving free and reduced lunch. However, Reading First strategies benefit all students. "Reading First is effective for all types of learners," Baker explained, "regardless of learning ability. The strategies are endorsed by how students learn and what teaching strategies work best." Successful However, some of the strategies have forced teachers to break old habits -- not exactly an easy task. The hard work of Creston teachers has paid off. During November's regular school board meeting, Creston's Reading First program was recognized as "highly successful" by the Iowa Department of Education. In order to be deemed "successful," Creston needed to have students proficient on 75 percent (22) of the 28 benchmarks set by the department of education. "The department of education has recognized the blood, sweat and tears that our teachers have put in to change the way we teach," Baker said in a Creston News Advertiser telephone interview Monday. Above and beyond Although the program is only mandated for kindergarten through third-grade, Creston has included fourth and fifth grades in Reading First to better prepare students for the next stage. "What we have really done in Creston is change our comprehensive reading program," Baker said. "Our teaching has changed, and our teachers have changed because they have seen growth in the kids. "We have evolved as a staff to work these strategies into our everyday teaching styles." Baker said the biggest change is students are now engaging in more active classroom discussions through strategies such as, Read Aloud, Think Aloud and Talk Aloud. "In the past kids could read but not understand," Baker said. "Now they are comprehending." The numbers agree. In 2004-05 only 70.4 percent of fourth-graders were reading at grade level. Now, Baker said, 82.4 percent are proficient readers. Pay-off While the long-term future of Reading First funding is uncertain, Baker said Creston has secured $115,000 for the 2009-10 school year to use toward reading strategies. Baker said a bulk of the funding has been used toward purchasing new books and the salary for literacy coach Becky Riley. "She has been a big asset in our district," Baker said. Baker said the program wouldn't be a success without the hard work and dedication by the teachers. "If they would have put their heels down it would have been tough to change," said Baker. "They have open minds to change the way they do business and that is really the difference. The work has paid off." Sean Giza can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 236 or [email protected] To see more of the Creston News Advertiser or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |