District Administration - May 2011 - (Page 53)

Advertisement Building better readers through technology Lexia Reading instantly assesses students’ weaknesses and gets them help fast “With Lexia, you don’t get that lag between a student strugulare City School District has a large number of English learners in its diverse student body, which is pre- gling and a student getting help,” Gaehde said. Tulare has 5,000 students that use Lexia Reading. The disdominantly Hispanic. Yet it has posted great success trict has a licensing arrangement that allows up to 750 students in reading scores over the past decade. “Our district is ahead of the goals set by the federal govern- to use the system at any given time. That makes it much more ment; in some cases, a couple of years ahead,” said Paul Rea- cost effective than rival programs that can charge as much as $150 a student per year, Reagan gan, bilingual coordinator for said, which helps districts the district, which is located with limited resources and in an agricultural region near fewer aides to be able to supBakersfield, Calif. “When I port increasingly diverse stulook at districts around us, I dent needs. find their scores aren’t anyReagan says the Web-based where near close to us.” program offers a powerful set One reason for Tulare’s of tools to monitor students success: a Web-based reading at the class, school or district program called Lexia Readlevel. School administrators ing® that lets students work at can compare district results their own pace as they master to national benchmarks, or foundational reading skills. drill down to school, grade Students start out with and even specific class levels Lexia Reading by taking a to monitor student learning quick, online exercise that “The teachers who use it the most at any given moment. determines their skill level. Lexia recommends that They’re placed at a level that’s will tell you they’ll never stop using it students use the program challenging but not so hard it because of what they see in two or three times a week, would create frustration. Stuthe classroom.” for at least 44 minutes total, dents move through practice and Tulare is looking for activities at their own speed. more ways to help students “If they’re struggling, the number of variables are reduced until they master that skill,” get even more time on Lexia Reading. The district is currently said Nick Gaehde, the company’s president. “Then it’s ratch- looking into using the program at public libraries or for home use, since the licensing rights still apply after regular school eted up again.” The program’s software performs ongoing, integrated hours. According to Reagan, Lexia Reading has become an essential assessment of students’ proficency as they make their way through exercises, although the students are not aware of component of Tulare’s reading curriculum. “The teachers who the monitoring. Teachers are alerted to problems through use it the most will tell you they’ll never stop using it because visual flags on student computers, and through a robust set of what they see in the classroom,” Reagan said. of teacher and administrator reports available via the Web. Students with similar weaknesses are grouped in lists so they For more information, visit www.lexialearning.com. can be taught individually or in small groups with Lexia Lessons™ that build skills in that particular area. Students can also be given short paper-and-pencil exercises to sharpen skills later in the day or at home. T www.DistrictAdministration.com May 2011 53 http://www.lexialearning.com http://www.lexialearning.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - May 2011

District Administration - May 2011
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Conversations
Administrator Profile
District Profile
The Cradle-to-Career Solution
Turnaround Principals
Starving for Recess
Army Strong, Superintendent Savvy
Budgeting Based on Student Needs
Research Center
Books
Product Focus
Products
Superintendent's Insights
Crisis Response
Going Mobile
Professional Opinion

District Administration - May 2011