Reading Success Soars with ELL Students

In the community of Chino, California, in the classrooms of El Rancho Elementary School, the rigor and vigor for reading created by the Scholastic Reading Counts! ™ program is ever present and always growing.  This is best seen at lunchtime, when Cathy Reyes’ library is jam-packed not only with 90% of Scholastic Reading Counts! books, but also with students signing up and taking quizzes on their own time.

El Rancho is a K–6 elementary school.  Eighty percent of its students are English Language Learner (ELL) students, with parents who ONLY speak Spanish.  Since the school started Scholastic Reading Counts! three years ago, it has developed a successful incentive program for the students that reward them daily, monthly, and yearly.  Each classroom has the Scholastic Reading Counts! program installed, as well as the library and the computer lab.  This allows the children to participate in avid and active reading throughout the school.

As a result of the Scholastic Reading Counts! program, parent involvement has increased dramatically.  Ms. Reyes’ library is open in the evenings three nights a week from 6pm to 8pm, and parents get involved by bringing their children in at night to participate.  El Rancho reaches out to its Spanish-speaking parents by sending home notes each trimester, letting them know of the Frequent Reader Update.  A translated letter accompanies each report, discussing the useful aspects of Scholastic Reading Counts! and providing tips on how parents can help encourage their children to read and participate in the program.

Ms. Reyes declares, “This program is awesome.  We have a high number of students who come from Spanish-speaking homes, and we have them participating in the program.  We had a first grader last year who could barely read when he started and when he finished, he was reading at a third grade level.  Both of his parents only speak Spanish, and he ended the year with over 400 points!!!”

When asked what the most useful aspect of Scholastic Reading Counts! was when used by an ELL student, Ms. Reyes replied, “It helps ELL students because of the instant recognition of the students’ success.”  She continues to describe the success of one of her ELL students, “I have one student from last year - when he started the Scholastic Reading Counts! program,  he was barely learning English in the first grade.  By second grade, when the school year had finished, he could speak perfect English and was reading third and fourth grade level books.  But he is not the only student like that; we have students who are ELL and just love the program. They bring their parents in at night to get them involved.”  Ms. Reyes suggests that a good variety of books at all different levels helps the student determine what he or she can read at his or her own pace.  She believes that “they feel like they are accomplishing something when they take a quiz and pass it.”  Ms. Reyes determines that this is an essential part of helping to build a strong reading foundation for an ELL student.

The importance of reading and the Scholastic Reading Counts! program, is apparent not only in the school and amongst parents, but is also emphasized throughout the community and businesses.  At the end of the school year, El Rancho holds a carnival with games, food and prizes for all the students who have participated in the Scholastic Reading Counts! program and achieved a “bronze” medal.  Area businesses sponsor this end of year activity and donate certificates for free admission to amusement parks, dinner certificates, games, books, computer software and more.  Ms. Reyes reaches out to the sponsors personally by phone, and then follows up with a letter.  She believes that community involvement is imperative. “It helps the students by knowing that the community believes in them and what they are trying to accomplish.”

Ms. Reyes is so proud of her students’ success and parent involvement with the program.  “Our parents are constantly telling us what a great program this is,” says Ms. Reyes. “They believe in this program. Our API has gone up a total of 45 points since starting this program.  I love this program and it is getting kids to read, the essential for a successful life!”

Tips from El Rancho Elementary School

• Set up evening library events to get parents involved.  Invite weekly parent volunteers to stay after-hours to keep the library open later.  This will give parents the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the program, and help them to monitor their child’s progress. 
  
  
• Provide students with a wide variety of books at different levels.  Students can determine what they can read, at a pace that is appropriate for them individually.