Early Reading programs affect later proficancy

http:/www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/05/20/32macinnes.h28.html

I chose to read an article about Preschool and early reading and its relationship to an improvement in overall test scores in schools in New Jersey. I teach at a school that for the second year in a row has failed to meet AYP and therefore is now facing many changes and much scrutiny by many in the community. This burden falls particularly hard on myself as I am one of two language arts teachers at 7-12 level and it is our building that is not "making the grade".

It is extremely unnerving to feel you have done all you can for your students, you have worked to align lessons to standards, and teach the information and skills that will help students be more successfull on the state testing and all to no avail. This article while not relieving me of my need to do better and to help be a partner in solving our problem made me feel that perhaps I am fighting a problem that began long before me. While this does not make our battle easier it does point out one specific fact that may allow myself and my district to change our focus in a helpful and meaningful way--"Students who are not reading at grade level by the end of 4thg rade have a less than 10 percent change of ever reading on level". (MacInnes, 2009)

This is not meant to be an excuse as much as a lightbulb, if this statistic holds true at 4th grade and these students are now in 8th grade and still behind their peers--we have a much bigger problem to solve. The article's main point is that spending money and focusing energy on preschool and early reading programs improves test scores for the long term. I think that is important as my school district looks at goals and at making improvements to move us toward making AYP and continuing to make AYP we need to not only focus at the current students who are struggling but also at the students who will be coming up.

MacInnes, Gordon. May 18, 2009. Preschool and Early Reading
How Obama Can Learn From New Jersey's Expensive Effort to Narrow the Achievement Gap. Education Week. Vol. 28, Issue 32, Pages 22-23. Retrieved May 27th, 2009. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/05/20/32macinnes.h28.html