School district programs aim to foster love of reading

Reading proficiency scores sank last school year among middle and high school students. Among high school students, proficiency dropped 30 percent from the 2010 level.

Implementing the Common Core State Standards, a more rigorous curriculum, is expected to yield better standardized test results, according to Pat Skorkowsky, Clark County School District associate superintendent.

"We're increasing the rigor in all of our grade levels," Skorkowsky said.

The district also partners with several community organizations to promote literacy in schools at the elementary level.

The All People Promoting Literacy Efforts, or APPLE, CORE program promotes an after-school reading competition among Henderson-area schools.

Students at Dooley Elementary School, 1940 Chickasaw Drive, read an average of 68 hours outside of school last year and won $7,000 for their school.

The district also organizes the Reading Through the Holidays contest. Students at Gragson Elementary School, 555 N. Honolulu St., read more than 340,000 minutes over winter break and won $3,000 for their school.

Skorkowsky also had high praise for Hewetson Elementary School, 701 N. 20th St., for its exemplary Accelerated Reader program.

Hewetson has the most active library of any elementary school in the district, with a circulation of more than 87,000 books last school year.

"They have one of the premier programs in the nation," Skorkowsky said. "We've seen a drastic increase over the past four years in their reading achievement levels."

Six years ago, when Hewetson principal Lucy Keaton came to the school, 17 percent of the students were proficient. In 2010, 74 percent were.

More than 90 percent of Hewetson students are Hispanic, and nearly 80 percent are English language learners.

Students in the program must read books at a particular level and pass an online exam by at least 85 percent to get credit for the book. Upon graduating the seven levels of the program, students are awarded prizes such as lunch or dinner with the principal and other gifts.

Students who reach the highest level of the program are added to Hewetson's wall of fame in the cafeteria. Four students completed the challenge in 2007. Last year there were 22.

Keaton said her staff underwent extensive training in order to properly implement the school's program. The classroom instruction and tracking of student progress is key to their success, she said.

The school pays about $5,000 each year for all the components of the program, and Keaton is able to monitor each student's reading level, how many books they read on a daily basis and how many tests they take.

"When we started, the prizes were probably the most important thing," said Keaton, "but it's not about that anymore. It's about graduating to different levels and seeing if they can beat their classmates. They want to be known as the best reader."

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.