American Reading Company Programs Generate Extraordinary Gains in Reading Scores in Baltimore County Public Schools
Towson, Md.—Baltimore County Public School elementary students participating in the 100 Book Challenge and Research Labs programs from American Reading Company have been experiencing extraordinary gains in their reading levels, but even more exciting than that is the amount of enthusiasm that these two programs have generated among students.
“Not only are our children achieving substantially, we have brought back an excitement to reading and learning to read. That, to me, is very important,” said Dr. Barbara Dezmon, Assistant to the Superintendent in the Office of Equity and Assurance for Baltimore County. “We can attempt to teach children to read, but if they do not develop an enjoyment for reading, our efforts will have been in vain.”
Baltimore County Public Schools began using 100 Book Challenge, an American Reading Company program, in 2004 at Mars Estates Elementary School. The program encourages children to read independently for 30 minutes in school and 30 minutes at home each day. Over the last four years, the district has continued to expand use of the 100 Book Challenge, as well as the companion program Research Labs, in many of its elementary schools. Currently, more than 50 elementary schools are using 100 Book Challenge, Research Labs, or both programs to help children read.
Programs are expanded in Baltimore County only after it is clear that they are working for students. When Dr. Dezmon’s office reviewed results from the 100 Book Challenge pilot program launched in the 2006–07 school year, it was clear that children were making huge gains. The review found that students across all schools piloting the program experienced a mean of eight months of reading level progress over just four-and-a-half to six month’s instruction time. Some students, such as gifted and talented students at Deer Park Elementary School, showed as much as two years of reading growth over six months.
Dr. Dezmon believes that 100 Book Challenge and Research Labs have been so successful because they allow students to read at a level that is “just right” for them. At the start of the program, students are assessed and then assigned by their reading ability to a certain level based on state standards. Each level is associated with a particular color, so that when it is time for students to read independently, they can select books from baskets that are color-coded to reflect their reading level. As their skills improve, students’ progress is recorded by both teachers and parents. Prizes are given to students as they reach various milestones either for time spent reading or for progressing to the next reading level.
“100 Book Challenge is unlike many other programs in education because it meets children where they are and enables us to move them forward,” said Dr. Dezmon. “Many other programs dictate where they want students to be and fail to move them forward.”
Another element that makes 100 Book Challenge different from similar programs is parental involvement. Students are expected to read for 30 minutes a day at home, with parents signing off on these assignments. In Baltimore County, parents jumped at the chance to participate. In the 2006–07 school year, more than 50 percent of parents said they read with their child or monitored their child’s independent reading session three or more nights a week. “This program is not intimidating to parents,” said Dr. Dezmon. “It is rewarding for them as well as their children, and it’s been quite evident in their response. Parents are now praising the school system [for using 100 Book Challenge].”
It’s not just the parents who are enthusiastic. Dr. Dezmon witnesses the excitement first-hand when she visits classrooms. Having been in education for more than 30 years, she is used to students being hesitant to answer questions or participate in lessons when a stranger observes classroom lessons. But that’s not the case in Baltimore County anymore.
“Students are not reluctant. They are literally all over you. They jump in front of you and ask, ‘Do you want to hear me read?’” she said. “They are so proud of their accomplishments.”
Jane Hileman, CEO and President of American Reading Company, is also proud of such accomplishments.
“It is exciting to hear about the progress that has been made in Baltimore County Public Schools and witness the enthusiasm that students, teachers, and parents have for reading,” said Ms. Hileman. “Thanks to school districts like this one, we are well on our way to fulfilling our mission of helping every child in America to read on or above grade level.”
About American Reading Company
American Reading Company transforms school cultures to create sustainable academic achievement through training, management, and monitoring. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in King of Prussia, PA. Today, more than a million students in 2,100 schools across 420 districts in 41 states participate in the company’s programs, which include ACTION 100, 100 BOOK CHALLENGE and RESEARCH LABS.