Iola school officials shared plans for a new reading program next year, after some staff and volunteers expressed dismay at the end of the Accelerated Reader program.
Some aspects will stay the same, Jenna Higginbotham, curriculum director for USD 257, told board members at a meeting Tuesday evening, but instead of the standard AR program teachers can devise what they think works best to encourage their students to read.
Students will still take an assessment test at the beginning of the school year to determine their reading level but will be allowed to read books at any level.
With the Accelerated Reader program, students were to read books at the level they were tested or higher.
Students from kindergarten to second grade will be encouraged to keep a log of books they read. Rewards will be given to students who reach certain goals, to be determined later.
The big change is that students will no longer take tests to determine if they comprehend what they are reading. Some teachers expressed concern about a lack of accountability.
“What I kept hearing is that AR is a simple tool for monitoring, and how do you monitor without it,” Higginbotham said. “Each teacher can figure out their system. We still want kids going to the library every day if they want to.”
Older students, grades 3-5, will continue to use reading logs. Because students like book clubs, teachers are still discussing ways they might be able to continue those types of incentive programs. Fifth-graders will keep a journal to practice writing skills.
The key is to find new ways to engage and excite students, Higginbotham said.
That means teachers will need to have ongoing conversations about books. She offered an example of a teacher who sees a student reading a book, then follows up a day or a week later and asks about it. Some teachers may organize games such as bingo or challenge students to meet a goal.
She shared other ideas, such as a librarian or a principal who reads aloud to certain groups.
Volunteers are still invited to come to the school and read to children, she said. They can read with students in the library from 7:30 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., and that time will now be offered to all students and not just first-graders.
Some volunteers expressed concern about the limited time, saying students from disadvantaged homes who most need help with reading don’t come to school that early. The previous program lasted until 8:20 a.m.
Board member Tony Leavitt said he was concerned about reducing the time volunteers have to work with kids.
There could be other opportunities for volunteers to help at the school. Perhaps teachers will allow a few students to go back to the library between 8 and 8:20, if volunteers are available, Higginbotham said.
