THE ORIGINAL REQUEST
Librarians:
For next year, our principal is thinking about hiring a reading specialist
and purchasing the program, "Read 180 Scholastic Program" to use with the
Sophomore class. Do any of you have any experience with this reading
program? Is it a successful program? What kind of environment or classroom
set-up is needed for this program? Thank you.
Martha Oldham, Librarian
Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Kansas
RESPONSES
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Hello,
I have a year of experience with it at the elementary level. Please note,
it's not a program for an entire grade level... it's for STRUGGLING readers.
It needs to be taught by a fully qualified reading instructor, a person
well-versed in research-based strategies for reading improvement. Many
administrators mistakenly get the idea that it's a "plug-n-play" program,
beause there is a computer component -- just sit the kids at a computer and
go! It'll magically improve test scores! No. Scholastic likes to show off
the computer component because it's unique, but the core of the program is
actual reading instruction, both in small and large groups. The computer is
less than a third of what the kids do every day.
The reading teacher needs to be aware of balanced literacy and effective
strategies for building comprehension, fluency, etc. Scholastic does give a
lot of worksheets and supporting blackline masters (graphic organizers,
etc.), but as with any program, a teacher needs to know what to do with
them. Just like we don't want a social studies teacher simply plowing
through the textbook, passing out worksheets, we don't want the Read180
teacher plowing through the handouts.
The ideal class size is fifteen; during the main part of the class, you have
three groups at different stations, and you don't want much more than 5 at
any one station. The small class size is also a key to success, I'd say.
The program takes 90 minutes every day -- which can be tricky for
scheduling, so keep that in mind if the program is indeed headed your way.
(There are no proven results for the program if it is not run as
prescribed.)
The classroom needs to be well-set-up specifically for this program. There
has to be a computer station (multiple computers -- 5 if you have a
15-person class). There is a listening center with 5 tape player/headsets
for listening to books on tape. There is an independent reading center,
where students can read comfortably -- things like a couch, beanbags, etc.
for supporting independent reading. There is a whole-class component to the
program, so there needs to be a set-up for teaching in that format; there is
also a small-group instruction component, so there needs to be a station for
that, as well. There is a lot of cost in the initial set-up!
Like any program, it's successful for some kids and not for others. I feel
much the same can be achieved with focused, solid reading instruction,
whether you call it Read180 or not. Guided reading is very effective, even
in the upper grades, if done correctly. The computer adds a "fun" element,
which can be motivating to the kids, so it is worthwhile in some respects,
but iis it the most amazing thing ever? Nah. Scholastic does have research
on their website showing a great deal of improvement in the kids who take
the program... but I think ANY kid with 90 minutes per day of solid literacy
instruction would improve that much.
The real key is to help everyone understand that this is not something that
can be run by a random aide or even by an English teacher. Teaching reading
requires knoweldge of reading instruction, even with this program! We've
had a hard time getting our staff and admin to understand that, because
Scholastic markets this as a magic salve. Nothing can replace the
effectiveness of a well-trained reading instructor, and the Scholastic reps
will point that out (after you've bought the program and are being trained
in how to use it). Most of this program is teacher-directed instruction, so
the teacher has to know what he/she is doing, and he/she has to be devoted
to working with older, struggling readers. It is a unique group, and the
teacher needs to be ready for it!
I hope this helps... let me know if you have other questions. I'm happy to
help if I can!
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Hi Martha! My school started using the READ 180 program about 4 years ago.
The program itself is fine, but we had CONSTANT technical problems, and the
tech support was TERRIBLE! We are no longer using the program, but that is
because the curriculum people for the district want to try other programs
with our low readers. Just be aware that there were days when our kids
couldn't use the computer portion of the program because of tech issues. It
wasn't just once in a while, but ALL the time! It was VERY frustrating for
the teacher and also for our tech person. I don't think the teacher would
be able to judge whether the program was successful because of all the tech
problems. She had a room that had a LOT of space because you need
computers, a place where the teacher can work with a small group, and a
space where students can read silently. Those are the three components of
the program.
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Martha Oldham, Librarian
Lawrence High School, Lawrence, Kansas 66046
Library Page: http://library.lhs.usd497.org
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