| Reading Corps helps students |
By: Terri McMillen
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Posted: Thursday, April 22, 2010 12:04 pm
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LE CENTER-Minnesota Reading Corps is an umbrella under ServeMinnesota. The program puts people in elementary schools to help Kindergartners through third grade students improve their reading and comprehension skills.
At Le Center Elementary, Shannon Smith, a 2009 Gustavus Adolphus graduate is that person.
“I got involved in Minnesota Reading Corps because I believe in their goal and mission,” said Smith. “The overall goal is to help students become successful readers by the end of third grade.”
Smith grew up in Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 2005. She then attended Gustavus Adophus College graduating with an Elementary Education, K-8 licenser with a concentration in Literature Communication. Her parents are Randy and Kim Smith, both educators in the Austin School System and she has two older brothers.
Smith meets with 15, K-3rd grade students 20 minutes a day everyday of the week.
“My job is to practice reading one-on-one with fifteen students,” said Smith. “I use research-based literacy interventions with the students and conduct weekly progress monitoring to ensure students are on track toward meeting their reading goals.”
“I learned about Minnesota Reading Corps at one of the Regional AYP meetings during the 2008-2009 school year,” said Elementary Principal Deb Dwyer. “In talking with other principals in our area I was able to learn about this opportunity and decided to fill out the application and apply for the program. This has been a wonderful addition to our elementary school. Minnesota Reading Corps is another layer of intervention support for our readers. Our school district’s focus has been on improving reading scores and vocabulary and this program fits perfectly with that focus.”
A person can be involved with Minnesota Reading Corps for two years.
“I am completing my second year or term with the Corps,” said Smith. “Over the summer of 2009 I worked with the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Austin, MN. So when the school year ends my involvement with the Corps ends. I feel the program has been very beneficial to both the students and me. I have had 14 students exit the program and 14 more students enter through the course of the year. I continue to monitor those 14 students who left the program to ensure they are staying at their appropriate reading level. The growth I’ve witnessed in these students over the year has been so much fun to watch. During the course of the year the students I work with have become more confident in their reading skills and have improved their fluency and comprehension skills. One of my favorite parts of teaching these students is seeing their faces light up when they gain that confidence.”
The students’ progress is monitored by a system called AIMSWEB. This monitoring system tests or benchmarks students throughout the school year.
“Following the AIMSWEB benchmark tests we are able to see which students need help and support with their reading,” said Dwyer. “Those students needing support then enter Minnesota Reading Corps and are tested regularly to make sure their progress is improving. Another way we monitor students’ progress is by using data from our DIBLES, NWEA and MAP tests that taken throughout the year.”
Minnesota Reading Corps tutors are not paid by the school district in which they work. They are paid by the program itself. Each school district interested in the Reading Corps program has to apply each year.
“The Minnesota Reading Corps program has been a wonderful enhancement at our Elementary School,” said Dwyer. “This is our first year with the program and I’ve just received confirmation that we will be a site again next year and are in the process of looking for someone to fill that position.”
According to Smith the MN Reading Corps has been a perfect fit for her.
“The Corps has helped me make a difference in students’ lives,” said Smith. “I’ve helped them become confident and successful readers. I have a high interest in reading and literacy. I also believe this program will help me pursue a career in education.”
Each MN Reading Corps member is given a living allowance, health insurance and child care (if eligible). They also receive an education award. If anyone is interested in learning more about Minnesota Reading Corps or is interested in becoming a member they can visit their website at MinnesotaReading Corps.org.” |
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