Inspired by research drawing a line between lifetime success and the ability to read by the third grade, the Corning Rotary Club began a literacy initiative with Winfield School in the 2015-2016 school year, making a three-year commitment to adopt a Kindergarten class and follow it through to the second grade, providing one book per child per month to read with parents, and volunteering to read with the students at the School. The results of that initiative are now in.
The percentage of students in the adopted cohort at Winfield School meeting the NWEA-established Norm Score and their NWEA-projected growth target from fall to winter 2017 far exceeded established reading standards.
It is widely accepted that the ability to read proficiently by the third grade greatly impacts a person’s ability to graduate high school and achieve further successes in life, prompting the Corning Rotary Club’s initiative with Winfield School. The success of the program has led to other community groups to adopt subsequent Kindergarten classes at Winfield School. Corning Rotary has now also brought the initiative to the Severn School.
Through this initiative, each student in the class receives one book each month during the school year, helping to develop a love for reading along with skills in speech, communication, logical thinking, language, as well as improved concentration and focus.
The books are from the “We Both Read” series, which encourages parents to read to their children. Studies show that when parents engage in the reading process, children are more successful at reading on their own, so each book has a parent page and a child page. The books are also leveled reading, which helps children reading at both lower and higher reading levels.
Over the course of the project, each student will have received a total of 30 books. The project is closely monitored and measured by School District administration and the Corning Rotary Club receives periodic updates on the students’ progress. Club members actively participate in book distribution events and also in the “Rotary Readers” project at the schools, where Rotarians volunteer to read with the students.
About NWEA
NWEA® is a research-based, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed Pre-K–12 assessments and professional learning offerings to help advance all students along their optimal learning paths. Their tools are trusted by educators in 145 countries and more than half the schools in the US.
NWEA® is a research-based, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed Pre-K–12 assessments and professional learning offerings to help advance all students along their optimal learning paths. Their tools are trusted by educators in 145 countries and more than half the schools in the US.