Phonological processing refers to several related skills all requiring an individual to understand that words are comprised of sounds or phonemes and that these phonemes can be used as linguistic building blocks. The child who begins reading without the prerequisite phonological processing skills is unlikely to achieve success in reading. A training program is then constructed to improve the deficient skills. According to Hurford, the Summer Program provides the student with an excellent opportunity to fortify and enhance his or her phonological processing and reading skills during a time when schools are not in sessions. Hurford said students typically make minimal gains in academic performance over the summer months.
Good readers get stronger and stronger, as they continue to read.
Poor readers get frustrated. Hurford uses graduate students as tutors for the program who are hand-picked based on three characteristics. We just need to find them a slot. Amanda Boyd, also a PSU graduate student, is assisting in the program, too. I love seeing the differences it has made.