SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2011OCTOBEROC

Reading not as easy as A-B-C

Portage School Division shows results with literacy program
By Prescott James, The DaiIy Graphic
Posted 2 years ago
As Hazen Barrett, superintendent for the Portage la Prairie School Division, stated at Thursday night's school board
meeting, most studies show about 17 per cent of students in a division Portage's size read below their grade level.
That is why, in 2003, the school division implemented the Later Literacy Program.
According to Donna Mueller, a resource teacher for the division who made a presentation to the board about the
program, the Later Literacy Program is a one-on-one or small group reading and writing intervention for struggling
middle years and high school students led by a trained later literacy teacher/facilitator.
The program specifically targets students 11-15 years of age for a 10-12 week program, and Mueller stated that at-
risk students often respond particularly well to the process.
" can tell you at least 30 success stories over the last few years; the results are phenomenal. On average, the
students increase their reading skills by two grade levels during the three months that we work together. Just the shift
in attitude towards reading is a big accomplishment in most cases," stated
Mueller, who also noted that once the students get past their reluctance, everything seems to fall into place.
"Lots of students come into the program fairly meek and a little bit resistant to the whole idea, but once you get them
into topics they enjoy, they see that there is lots to read about that would interest them. Once they learn how to use
the text, you can really see their confidence shine through," Mueller said.
nterim assistant superintendent Mike Mauws feels strongly about the importance of this program within the division.
"The Later Literacy Program has been supported by the division for a number of years, and we certainly plan on
continuing to do that. We see it as a very important program in the school division, and it is a program that we place a
lot of value in," stated Mauws.