Warden Elementary students reading faster

WARDEN — Warden Elementary School students scored above state average for reading, according to preliminary test results.

Students in kindergarten through third grade took the Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills test in spring as part of a federal Reading First grant.

Preliminary results indicate nearly 95 percent of Warden kindergarten students met benchmark for reading, compared with a state average of nearly 86 percent.

Students in Warden scored above state average and showed improvement compared with previous years at all grade levels.

"Each grade level has a specific goal of how many words they must read in one minute in order to be successful," said Warden Elementary School Principal Jill Massa. "Our students are very aware of their goals and everyone helps them to reach those goals."

Student progress is monitored throughout the school year, Massa said. Students who are below benchmark receive intervention. A reading club is offered for students near the benchmark.

"I'm just thrilled," Massa said. "It's been so much change, and so much hard work by our teachers."

Massa said she is proud of the third-grade scores because students need to read at grade level by third grade to be successful in future performance.

Results show 82.5 percent of third grade students met the benchmark for reading. In the 2003-2004 school year, 55 percent of Warden third grade students met benchmark for reading.

State schools were granted $74.8 million for the Reading First program from 2002 through 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The grant, which started in Warden in 2003, funds a reading coach at the school and administration of the test.

To continue receiving the grant, the school must meet certain criteria. At least 60 percent of students had to meet benchmark for three of four grades, including third grade, for the grant to continue in the 2007 to 2008 school year. Massa said students met the criteria with their preliminary scores.

She said she is confident in the ability of students to succeed.

"They can do it," Massa said. "I have no doubt that if we can teach kids the correct way, they're going to make it."