It is no secret that academic success is directly linked to students’ ability to read, and the Bucyrus City Schools is dedicated to helping each student achieve their highest potential in literacy. Ohio passed the Third Grade Reading Guarantee that states all students in the 3rd grade must be proficient in reading before they can advance to the next grade.
To identify students’ reading abilities, Bucyrus City Schools gives students in grades K-8 the Developmental Reading Assessment three times a year. Students in K-3 reading below their grade level are put on a Reading Improvement Monitoring Plan. Targeted interventions address their weaknesses and improve their skills in reading, writing and spelling.
Deb Hoover serves as the district’s personal literacy coach. Literacy coaches work with teachers to help implement the new language arts curriculum and serve as a resource as they plan their lessons. Parents are also given tools to help them be a strong partner in their child’s education. Parent nights, parent-teacher conferences and discussions encourage the parents to read with their children at home to help improve their success in school.
“While school district budgets are stretched as thin today as ever, not only in Bucyrus City Schools District but throughout the state, Mrs. Hoover is a tremendous resource to our district as a literacy coach/consultant,” Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “The Board of Education is very committed to literacy, especially at the early level because it provides a foundation for the rest of a student’s education. Mrs. Hoover is well respected for her expertise in reading development.”
Strong literacy skills and positive student outcomes have a strong correlation. Children who master reading early on in school tend to do better academically, socially and emotionally. Bucyrus City Schools is dedicated to providing all the tools their students need to complete a successful education.
For more information about the Bucyrus City Schools literacy program, contact Deb Hoover at DHoover@bucyrusschool.org