News Release
Contact
Suki Deen,
University Relations Associate
31 Reads Way
New Castle, DE
19720
302-295-1164
suki.r.deen@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Graduate Students Participate in Ready! Set! Read! Program
Friday, July 31, 2009 - New Castle, DE
Wilmington University student Michelle Coleman tutors Asaiah Caldwell in a one-on-one session.
Isabella Denk is tutored by Wilmington University student Jennifer Rieger.
For the second year in a row Wilmington University has launched a summer reading program known as ‘Ready! Set! Read’ to help youth aged six to eighteen improve their literacy and comprehension. This eight-week program, taught by Wilmington University graduate students (all of whom are certified teachers), provides the youth with either individualized assessments and one-on-one tutoring or small group instruction. The program is being offered at three locations: Layton Preparatory School in New Castle, Delmarva Christian High School in Georgetown and Wilmington University’s Dover site.
“Since we began the program last summer, we have grown tremendously”, said Kathryn Brown, Coordinator of the Master of Reading program at Wilmington University, “Some children who began the program last summer continue to come and share their improved reading scores and report card grades. It is great to see their progress as well as to see their improved confidence and enjoyment of reading.”
This reading program benefits both the youth and the graduate students who receive a hands-on, real world education. The graduate students are participating in this program as part of the Master of Reading program at Wilmington University. The students must take one of two courses: either a six-credit course on diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties or a course in action research. These two mandatory courses are part of four clinical courses the graduate students must complete before graduation.
Each graduate student taking the assessment course has two youth to assess and tutor for the eight-week program. This first phase includes an assessment of each child’s needs allowing the teacher to plan lessons accordingly for the one-on-one tutoring in specific reading skills. The second phase provides small group instruction to develop reading skills in interactive learning situations.
“We feel very good about being able to meet the needs of so many children this summer,” said Kathryn Brown, adding that there are three sessions per year: October, March and July. “Registration for the fall session is not yet available, but that promises to be fully attended, as well, based on inquiries from families.”
This is the first year the University has expanded its offerings in both Georgetown and Dover. “We are fully operational in Georgetown, Dover and New Castle and the number of young readers participating in the program is remarkable,” commented Kathryn Brown. “There are 16 youth in Georgetown, 22 in Dover and 110 youth at our New Castle location.”
The cost of the reading program is a one-time $25 dollar registration fee per child for the entire program. After the program is complete, the Wilmington University graduate students provide feedback regarding each youth’s progress.
For more information on the Ready! Set! Read! Program from Wilmington University or to fill out a registration form please visit www.wilmu.edu/readysetread. To learn more about the program contact Melodie Spotts at?(302) 356-2464 or email readysetread@wilmu.edu.