An elementary school in Westfield is showing off a unique tutoring program that is focused on improving reading skills. Building those reading skills is a top priority at Southampton Road Elementary School in Westfield and students are now benefiting from the one-on-one online tutoring program called Ignite Reading.
“The level of difficulty for acquiring the skills to become fluent readers varies greatly. For some students, learning to read is easy, but about 60 percent need a structured literacy approach,” said Alexandra Gottlieb, director of partnerships for Ignite Reading.
Ignite Reading is currently being used by thousands of students across 16 states. In daily sessions that last 15 minutes each, expert tutors assist students in overcoming specific reading challenges to help them succeed in the next grade level.
“When students become fluent readers, they can shift their focus and work on comprehension,” Gottlieb explained,” Gottlieb.
Western Mass News spoke with school faculty about the results they have seen so far. “It’s been great this year. It’s our second year and things are running smoother. While we just started, you can already see the kids’ confidence soaring,” said literary assistant Elyse Wheeler.
Another advantage is that the program aligns with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s ‘Literacy Launch’ plan, which encourages reading success from age three to grade three in Massachusetts schools, providing effective reading instruction along with resources and training for teachers.
“They have worked it out where they’re pretty fluent at it. They get their Chromebook, they come in, they sit down, and get right to business,” said reading specialist Terry Mason.
The Westfield Public School district has secured state funding to allow 250 first and second graders to benefit from this program.