congratulations to the 2015 r.e.a.d. award winner

each year, 95 percent group presents an award to a district or school that demonstrates reading excellence and dedication to struggling readers through the use of 95 percent group’s processes and products. the presentation of the r.e.a.d. award allows us the chance to recognize this outstanding achievement at our annual fall reading institute.

we are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of 95 percent group’s annual r.e.a.d. award is loudon elementary school, panama-buena vista union school district in bakersfield, california.

                               

during the past two years, 95 percent group materials have become a critical part of loudon’s development of a well-designed multi-tiered system of support (mtss), according to loudon principal, sharon dunn. as a result, the students at loudon have experienced great gains in early literacy achievement, and more importantly, these gains have been sustained.  

at the end of the 2014-15 school year, 90% of the kindergarten students scored at or above the benchmark goal on the composite score. the boy first grade data indicates that 81% of students remained at benchmark. similar results are evident in their 2014-15 eoy first grade data and 2015-16 boy second grade data. at the end of first grade 73% of students scored at or above the benchmark goal on the composite score. at the beginning of the year 72% of those students remained at benchmark. they were also encouraged as their third grade boy data for 2015-16 showed the largest number of students that they have ever had at or above the benchmark goal on the dibels next composite score. their data reflects and supports the fact that loudon’s staff is extremely dedicated and teaches with fidelity so students will master the skills necessary to become fluent readers who read with understanding.

working with a student population where poverty levels exceed 85 percent, the commitment of each and every staff member at loudon is evident as they strive to raise reading achievement and prevent reading failure. this dedication, along with the implementation of 95 percent group processes and products, has proven to be a winning combination. according to dunn, the teachers have confidence in their instruction and they know that they can reach every single student, no matter what the reading deficit. 

please join us in congratulating loudon elementary school for their reading excellence and dedication to struggling readers.