Debbie Valette’s unique reading programme for 12-14-year olds in Boulder, Colorado, has made great strides in getting kids with serious reading problems back on track.
The recent feedback from the kids has been amazing and according to Debbie her programme has seen 99% of her students scoring higher on the GRADE test and the DRA2 fluency test.
Students made gains of 1.5 to 2.5 years in reading. Debbie’s been in touch to let us know what’s been happening this summer and said:
“All of you at Catalyst Exhibits can feel great about being part of these kids’ growth. “If I weren’t able to keep my kids supplied with appropriate books, I would not have been able to keep them engaged. Thanks so much!!”
Debbie filled us in on what’s happening with the program this summer, pointing out that the summer gap is a crucial time to keep problem readers engaged with books.
“This summer I am coordinating a summer reading program. Fourteen of my students volunteered to join me. On four separate occasions I took small groups to the bookstore to buy their books for summer reading. MOST OF THEM HAD NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN A BOOKSTORE. We had a lot of fun picking out books. Throughout the summer I will be checking in with them by phone and we will meet twice at local restaurants to talk about our books and celebrate our progress. IMPORTANT FACT: Growth for English Language Learners (ELLs) and Non-ELLs is about the same throughout the school year. It is in the summer when the achievement gap grows. Non-ELLs are attending camps, travelling, reading, etc. ELLs are not engaging in many “enrichment” activities. So, that’s why summer reading programs for ELLs are so important.
Anyway, I wanted to give my kids some extrinsic motivation, hence the lunches. One of the lunches will be at the best sushi restaurant in town and the proprietor will talk to the kids about Japanese table manners/customs. The other lunch will be at Q’s–one of the nicest fine dining restaurants in town. The manager will talk to them about the following: farm to table cooking, fast vs. fine dining, and table settings. I WANT THE KIDS TO MAKE A CONNECTION BETWEEN READING AND QUALITY OF LIFE. It should be fun!!
I consider 50% of my job to be getting these students to enjoy reading and to form productive reading habits. I want reading to be a natural part of their culture!! They will then pass it on to their kids!! Of course, the other 50% involves building their reading skills so that they can survive in any reading situation.”
Debbie’s programme is always in need of new and appropriate books. We know there’s a recession on but she and the kids could do with any support.
Contact our CEO Paul here if you’d like to help out.
