Press Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Valerie Chernek
410-871-2670
vchernek@donjohnston.com
High School Remedial Reading Academy Boasts Growth in Students’ Readability Levels
Students Become Independent Readers With Start-to-Finish® Audio and Computer Books
June 19, 2007—Volo, IL—
Don Johnston Incorporated and educators at Callaway High School, Troup
County, GA are excited to share the results of a remedial reading study
in which over half of the students met or exceeded a 1.5 increase in
reading levels. The study was designed to improve incoming ninth
graders’ reading and phonics skills after being identified in the
lowest 25th percentile of reading achievement.
The study, conducted in 2004-05, was designed by Douglas McCoy, Graduation Specialist, Diane Hardenstein, Special Education Teacher and Kristi Bevis, School Psychologist. This study included empirical measures of progress, faculty tutors and a variety of supportive reading technologies. Simon S.I.O™, WordMaker® and Start-to-Finish audio and computer books, by Don Johnston, were chosen to increase reading fluency and comprehension skills while building students’ confidence.
The GORT-4 Reading Test was administered to measure pre- post reading scores. During a four month period, students participated in two classes per week (Remedial Reading and Reading Enrichment) for 30 minutes and worked in small groups with faculty members who volunteered as tutors.
Diane Hardenstein, Special Education teacher said, “Students experienced higher attention spans, better concentration and had fewer disciplinary problems. The combination of selecting highly-engaging stories that are carefully written to motivate struggling readers and using supportive technologies was the hook we needed. Students’ boredom was quickly replaced by enthusiasm and increased outcomes!”
Dr. McCoy believes the reading academy will yield higher results for larger student populations next year. He plans to expand the model into the high school and middle school to support students who require extra help in the general education classroom.
Visit www.donjohnston.com and click the Case Study link to read this Start-to-Finish case study. Don Johnston Incorporated empowers educators with supplemental instruction and intervention solutions to help struggling learners build core literacy skills with confidence. Since 1980, the company has partnered with literacy authors, psychologists, teachers, researchers, administrators and organizations to develop assistive technologies, implementation materials and a variety of multiple learning instructional approaches to support diverse learning needs.
Photos accompanying this Press Release are the property of Don Johnston Incorporated and may only be used and/or published as accompanying photos with the information found in this release or with specific written approval from Don Johnston or members of his marketing staff.
Don Johnston Incorporated
26799 W. Commerce Dr.
Volo, IL 60073
www.donjohnston.com
800.999.4660
