Reading: The key skill that informs all others
Experts agree that reading is an essential skill every student must master to be successful, not only in school, but throughout life.
Our board of education continues to affirm that reading is District 54's top priority. Teachers and support staff are working hard to help our students achieve the established reading goals. District, school and individual student progress is monitored regularly to determine if changes are needed in our instructional program.
We have implemented a districtwide approach to the teaching of reading. Literacy Essential Outcomes were created to guide instruction in all grade levels. A researched-based core literacy program is being used in every prekindergarten- through eighth-grade classroom. All schools now have at least one full-time reading support professional who works with teachers to analyze student data, plan lessons and provide training.
Effective reading instruction includes specific teaching strategies. A student's age, developmental level and type of support he or she needs determines the specific focus and amount of time spent in each area.
A comprehensive and balanced reading program incorporates different components. Following is a brief summary of those that comprise District 54's reading instructional framework.
• Shared Reading involves working with the entire class or a group, to teach specific skills and strategies students use to understand a particular reading passage.
• Guided Reading instruction helps students learn how to read a variety of increasingly challenging texts with understanding and fluency. Teachers meet with small groups of students and design lessons based on their individual needs, interests, experiences and reading levels.
• Students also engage in Independent Reading activities on a regular basis. This involves more than just reading books - it is a time set aside for students to practice their reading, build fluency and develop their confidence and interest in reading.
• Word Study helps students develop their vocabulary and increase the number of words they can read independently. Both of these skills are necessary for students to fully comprehend what they read. In Word Study, students practice and apply their knowledge of phonemic awareness, letter recognition, letter-sound relationships, phonics and spelling patterns.
• Teachers also use a teaching technique called Read Aloud which builds vocabulary and listening comprehension. Students are exposed to rich language and a wide variety of literature, along with different writing styles of various authors.
Reading achievement across District 54 has never been higher. Even with the significant gains that have been made, we constantly evaluate and look for how we can do better. Continuing in this manner will help us meet our district's mission of ensuring student success and enable our students to become strategic and independent readers.