Successful reading program at CCSD’s Fairview Elementary looks to expand

Last October kindergarten through 3^rd grade students at Carroll’s Fairview Elementary School who were falling behind their peers in reading skills began working with Elementary Literacy Tutors. Elementary Principal Sue Ruch says The Ameri-Core Reading Program works with students to develop skills in fluency and accuracy, adding it’s a very tight program which has contributed to students’ success.

Since working with a Literacy Tutor eighteen students have seen improvements in their reading skills. The program’s tutor works with students during 20 minute sessions every day of the week; monitoring each individual’s progress and applying an approved Reading Core strategy to help them improve. Ruch says six students have exceeded their grade level reading skills and have since exited the program. Following the success the decision was made to expand the program to include 3^rd graders at Adams Elementary. However, in order to hire a half-time tutor through the Ameri-Core Reading program, the district first needs to secure funding from its partner the United Way.

School officials have already put in an application, but before any funding is approved Ruch, Assistant Elementary Principal Dianne Battani, and Christine Phillips will have to present their case at a United Way hearing on May 12, 2016.