For example, as a result of analyzing all types of assessments we have implemented school-wide systematic explicit reading comprehension instruction. Transitional Program Students at Level 1 on the Stanford 9 in 6th grade are receiving intervention in reading with the Boystown Reading Program. This is a prescribed, structured and successfully implemented program in many communities. Grade 4 and 5 students are receiving additional reading assistance from trained literacy teachers. After school tutoring is offered to students who need assistance.
Literacy remains our school-wide instructional focus.
Teachers provide balanced literacy instruction in grades K-8 through the Literacy Collaborative and the Upper Grade Literacy Initiative. Both incorporate effective teaching practices and allow us to maintain our commitment to the development of second language acquisition. Beginning in second grade all students receive fifty percent of their literacy instruction in Spanish and fifty percent in English. We have also begun intensive work in improving our math teaching and learning. Ten teachers were trained in Investigations and are implementing TERC units.