Describes the creative instructional techniques used to teach and encourage reading at Clackamas Elementary School, Oregon: reading-ability grouping across grades two through six; child-generated vocabulary; peer-to-peer reading; self-esteem reinforcement; and combined use of whole-language, phonics, and cueing strategies. Emphasizes use of…

Describes techniques used in a multi-age class at Coupeville Elementary School, Washington, to boost reading comprehension and inspire students' love of books: access to an abundance of books, challenges to students, skills reinforcement, combined phonics and whole-language instruction, running-record assessment, paired reading, independent…

Describes how science activities are integrated with reading and writing activities to teach reading to inner-city first graders in Portland, Oregon. Both explicit phonics and whole-language instruction are used, along with pocket charts, poetry, small-group instruction, leveled books, running records, jump-rope rhymes, and story writing. (SAS)

Research indicates that engagement with text is critical to becoming a good reader and can be fostered in primary grades by using informal assessments of individual student's reading ability to guide instruction. Describes running record, miscue analysis, and cloze-procedure assessment tools and the assessment task of oral retelling. Sidebars list…

Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) is a book and reading program for children in kindergarten through second grade in 13 Oregon counties. The program aims to create a relaxed and safe environment in which children can practice their skills, one-on-one, with caring adult volunteers. A volunteer tutor recounts her experiences with the program. (SAS)

A successful reading program is a broad-based personalized program that recognizes that reading is a mixture of various skills: phonemic awareness, grapho-phonemic correspondence, word analysis and synthesis, sight-word vocabulary, syntactic knowledge, semantic knowledge, and literary knowledge. Changes in instructional techniques are made based…

Community revitalization efforts based on community partnerships between educators, civic leaders, local employers, entrepreneurs, and parents are gaining momentum. Local schools play a leading role in many of these. Discusses three models of school/community interaction, how relationships build social capital, mapping community assets, getting…

Two White Pass School District (Washington) programs increase community cohesiveness despite troubled economic times: (1) the school district offers adult education, utilizes community talent, and hosts community recreation events; and (2) the Forest Service, school district, and community college developed a summer job program for secondary…

The Lower Kuskokwim School District in southwest Alaska developed Yup'ik language materials to support the curriculum and, trained school staff in bilingual practices. The district school in Quinhagak adopted Yup'ik as the primary language of instruction through fifth grade, taught by Yup'ik-speaking teachers. The tribal council offered support in…

Four elementary schools and two local organizations in Seattle's South End collaborated to improve student performance, strengthen the community, and create a model for school reform. Programs included day care, one-on-one reading workshops, volunteer mentors, community events, adult education, and writing workshops. Presents four tips for…

Rural Josephine County, Oregon, used federal Enterprise Community funds to revitalize its communities. The elementary school serves as a hub, sharing resources with a parenting and preschool center, a coalition of 26 service providers, and the Enterprise Community organization. Describes how communities cooperate in providing adult education,…

Leaders from business, education, churches, government, and the nonprofit sector in Multnomah County (Oregon) started eight Caring Communities, collaborative programs dedicated to 100% high school completion. Although each has its own emphasis, all support and coordinate other groups' efforts to help poor and minority students succeed. (TD)

Describes two scholarship programs administered by the Ford Family Foundation: the Ford Scholars Program and the Ford Opportunity Program for Single Parents. These programs are unique because of the partnerships developed with other organizations and the interest taken in the recipients. (TD)

Programs that educate students about their local community's history and ecology, and enable student interaction with the community through service and experiential learning are helpful to high-risk students, promote socially responsible citizenship, instill a sense of place, and can develop local funding and resources. Gives examples of local…

Describes the evolution of alternative schools from progressive learner-centered free schools founded in the 1960s to the present emphasis on at-risk students. Outlines three models of alternative schools and discusses successful strategies and essential characteristics of effective schools for at-risk youth. Emphasizes the importance of…