East Middle School Tiered Reading Program
Overview
The East Middle School Tiered Reading Program was created in response to examining reading data from sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from across the Rapid City Area School district. The findings from this data showed that our proficient and advanced students continue to perform on or above grade level over time. Those students who score below grade level see the achievement gap widen.
The EMS Tiered Reading Program is designed to accelerate reading growth for our struggling readers while meeting all students at their point of need. By using multiple data points from different assessments, we will be able to pinpoint a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and respond accordingly.
The crux of the program rests on two related points. First, students need to regularly read texts at their reading level; then, students need a significant amount of time to read those texts. Additionally, students should have opportunities to address their areas of need in the context of authentic reading as often as possible.
Assessments
We will use the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) four times each year (roughly 2 weeks before the end of each quarter) to broadly identify struggling readers.
Running Records using the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System will be administered monthly to determine the students’ independent and instructional reading levels.
Spelling inventories will also be administered monthly to identify specific areas of need as well.
Resources
Each reading teacher will have access to the following materials:
Most of these resources are available in Teacher Share in the 6th Grade Reading PLC folder.
The East Middle School Tiered Reading Program was created in response to examining reading data from sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from across the Rapid City Area School district. The findings from this data showed that our proficient and advanced students continue to perform on or above grade level over time. Those students who score below grade level see the achievement gap widen.
The EMS Tiered Reading Program is designed to accelerate reading growth for our struggling readers while meeting all students at their point of need. By using multiple data points from different assessments, we will be able to pinpoint a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and respond accordingly.
The crux of the program rests on two related points. First, students need to regularly read texts at their reading level; then, students need a significant amount of time to read those texts. Additionally, students should have opportunities to address their areas of need in the context of authentic reading as often as possible.
Assessments
We will use the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) four times each year (roughly 2 weeks before the end of each quarter) to broadly identify struggling readers.
Running Records using the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System will be administered monthly to determine the students’ independent and instructional reading levels.
Spelling inventories will also be administered monthly to identify specific areas of need as well.
Resources
Each reading teacher will have access to the following materials:
- EMS Tiered Reading Program Implementation Guide (1” binder)
- Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System
- Words Their Way with Struggling Readers: Word Study for Reading, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction, Grades 4-12
- Words Their Way word sorts for 1) Within Word Patterns, 2) Syllables and Affixes, and 3) Derivational Relations
- The Comprehension Toolkit
- A student tracking binder
- A set of word study resources
- Leveled book sets (available for check out in the library)
Most of these resources are available in Teacher Share in the 6th Grade Reading PLC folder.