Read Naturally

Parker Elementary School

Teachers at Parker Elementary School have identified low oral reading fluency as a significant issue, negatively effecting a number of students at all grade levels. In partnership with the University of Oregon School of Education, utilizing pre-service teachers as reading coaches, Parker will use the research based curriculum, Read Naturally, to build oral reading fluency in its struggling readers. Students will receive teacher/coach modeling, repeat reading and progress monitoring through the program.

Why is this Project Important?

This project will address a problem that Parker has identified through its own reading fluency assessment that is conducted three times per year. Literacy is the critical element of the elementary education of every child. Parker's approach is to provide intervention as early as is able, targeting low oral reading fluency by providing instruction and one-on-one reading time between students and a trained reading coach in a safe, structured and highly motivating environment. This strategy has been proven successful in boosting a child's reading fluency, confidence, and ability move from learning to read to reading to learn.

Research clearly shows there is a strong correlation between fluency and overall reading comprehension as well as performance on standardized achievement tests.

Who and How Many Will be Served?

Parker serves a diverse community including all income levels and many cultures throughout the school. Twenty-seven percent of Parker's students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Each year, Parker will identify those students who are reading at a rate of the 25%ile or below. For the 2004-2005 school year, that will be approximately 40 students. This number will be similar from year to year. Since the costs to this program are largely one-time, it is highly sustainable and will continue after the 2004-2005 school year.

How Will You Evaluate the Success of this Project?

The success of this project will be in providing quality, small group and one-on-one coaching in reading fluency. We will easily be able to monitor student progress using the system already in place at Parker. There will be a survey of involved parents, students and all teachers about the success of the program as well as student attitudes on reading.

Does this Proposal Build Upon Existing Programs at your School?

This program will enable Parker teachers to extend the program which has been established at Parker for the past 5 years and is a strong component of our academic offering of excellent and appropriate education for all students.

How will funds be used?

Printed materials and masters for students; headphones (40 pair); one time printing costs; 15 portable CD players.