Elementary Teachers Training on Literacy Intervention Techniques
Nearly 3,000 kindergarten through third grade teachers training with Neuhaus Education Center
October 13, 2011
The ability to read—it’s a crucial skill that determines the success of any child. But did you know this sobering fact? Unless a child reads on grade level by the third grade, the chances are less than one in eight that he or she will ever read on grade level.
That’s why HISD has launched a districtwide literacy initiative to ensure that all third-grade students are reading at or above grade level. As part of the initiative, nearly 3,000 HISD teachers are attending training sessions this month with the Neuhaus Education Center, a Houston-based company that specializes in the prevention of reading failure.
“One curriculum is not going to meet the needs of every child and that is what this training is trying to do,” said HISD Literacy Director Dr. Carol Bedard. “It is going to help teachers discover that, when they realize a student is not progressing, using the core curriculum, what they can do differently.”
All kindergarten through third-grade HISD teachers will be training with Neuhaus staff to learn a variety of intervention strategies and the research behind why they work for different types of students. Principals and teacher development specialists are also attending the professional development sessions.
“We really are going to focus on those kids who need a little bit more support, and how can they go to a deeper level, how can they find new ways—evidence-based ways—to explain it for students who are struggling,” said Neuhaus President and CEO Marybeth Flachbart.
Teachers at a recent training session say they found it useful with many practical classroom applications. “It’s helping me to better understand how to teach reading as a whole and how I can better assist my students in the classroom,” said Cook Elementary School first-grade teacher Vytara Cross.
“I think this is so valuable at giving us ideas on how we can support our teachers to make them the best possible and so our children will learn the most and be the best readers,” said Bush Elementary School Principal Theresa Rose.
The Neuhaus training is just a small part of the district’s larger literacy initiative, which will establish an assessment program across all grade levels and promote foundational skills, enrichment, and acceleration.
In August, the HISD Foundation received a $500,000 donation from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in support of the district’s literacy initiative.
October 13, 2011
The ability to read—it’s a crucial skill that determines the success of any child. But did you know this sobering fact? Unless a child reads on grade level by the third grade, the chances are less than one in eight that he or she will ever read on grade level.
That’s why HISD has launched a districtwide literacy initiative to ensure that all third-grade students are reading at or above grade level. As part of the initiative, nearly 3,000 HISD teachers are attending training sessions this month with the Neuhaus Education Center, a Houston-based company that specializes in the prevention of reading failure.
“One curriculum is not going to meet the needs of every child and that is what this training is trying to do,” said HISD Literacy Director Dr. Carol Bedard. “It is going to help teachers discover that, when they realize a student is not progressing, using the core curriculum, what they can do differently.”
All kindergarten through third-grade HISD teachers will be training with Neuhaus staff to learn a variety of intervention strategies and the research behind why they work for different types of students. Principals and teacher development specialists are also attending the professional development sessions.
“We really are going to focus on those kids who need a little bit more support, and how can they go to a deeper level, how can they find new ways—evidence-based ways—to explain it for students who are struggling,” said Neuhaus President and CEO Marybeth Flachbart.
Teachers at a recent training session say they found it useful with many practical classroom applications. “It’s helping me to better understand how to teach reading as a whole and how I can better assist my students in the classroom,” said Cook Elementary School first-grade teacher Vytara Cross.
“I think this is so valuable at giving us ideas on how we can support our teachers to make them the best possible and so our children will learn the most and be the best readers,” said Bush Elementary School Principal Theresa Rose.
The Neuhaus training is just a small part of the district’s larger literacy initiative, which will establish an assessment program across all grade levels and promote foundational skills, enrichment, and acceleration.
In August, the HISD Foundation received a $500,000 donation from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in support of the district’s literacy initiative.
