If you are reading this, thank a teacher! The ability to read impacts all aspects of an individualís life. It also improves the success and trajectory of every studentís academic career. In D 49, providing a firm foundation in literacy has been a targeted improvement strategy for several years ó one that is bearing results. Unlike walking and talking, which children can learn by trial and imitation, reading and writing are complex language skills that must be explicitly taught and practiced.The primary years of kindergarten through third grade often set students on their pathway of reading success, or not. Students must be able to hear and manipulate sounds, connect those sounds to letters, which then forms words, sentences, etc. The ultimate goal is to comprehend text and communicate through writing. This oversimplified version of reading acquisition does not fully convey the technical challenges, but teaching reading is rocket science.Colorado legislators recognize the critical need for students to become proficient readers and the implications if students are not readers by the time they leave third grade. Since 2012, the Colorado READ Act (Reading to Ensure Academic Development) has set standards for literacy development and boosted D 49ís efforts by providing funding to improve achievement in reading. In keeping with D 49ís status as a district of innovation, elementary school teams re-examined everything about literacy instruction to ensure that students and teachers have the tools they need to improve reading. Schools made sure they had the right materials for core instruction and intervention, delivered by appropriate and well-trained staff. They even examined daily schedules to ensure that learning drives decision making, and instructional time is maximized and uninterrupted.Schools have also demonstrated an increasing emphasis on engaging families and the community. Many schools adopted an all-school read event, where everyone reads and discusses the same book and also developed close ties with the Pikes Peak Library District. Schools are even leveraging out of school time to improve student reading skills. The district invested in a digital library, myON, which provides online access to thousands of quality texts students can read anytime, day or night.Literacy experts invite K-3 students with reading challenges to attend the districtís READ Camp (Readers Exploring Amazing Destinations), available during interim breaks. This successful reading intervention program is gaining recognition and interest across the state as a role model to replicate. READ Camp enjoys partnerships with the UCCS School of Education and the Olympic Training Center. Masters candidates and preservice teachers complete internships with READ Camp, giving them real world experience and providing D 49 students with more individualized attention. Colorado Springs is the Olympic City, and the Olympic Training Center provides enrichment opportunities for our students. This partnership is a natural fit as Olympic athletes and learning readers have many of the same needs. They both need excellent coaches, constructive feedback, extensive opportunities for perfect practice, a good diet ó for readers this means a variety of materials and reading opportunities.Over the last four years, D 49 students are seeing increasing improvement and growth in reading as measured by the DIBELS Next reading assessment. When compared to other districts and schools across the nation, D 49 is making well above average progress. At the same time D 49 is experiencing increased enrollment and high mobility. We also observe that more students are entering kindergarten less prepared. Our ongoing commitment to a firm foundation in literacy makes D 49 the best choice for families.What can you do? If you have children at home, read to and with them every day. Even middle and high school students will bond over a good young adult fiction book. If you donít have children at home, contact your local elementary or library to volunteer. Schools regularly welcome community readers into classrooms. While teaching reading may be rocket science, enjoying reading belongs to anyone who can share passion for a good book.
