Spotlight on Success Driscoll Elementary
Back Row: Melissa Rodriguez, Marie Bippert, Janell Owen, Terry Lara. Middle Row: Lucy Gonzalez, Margie Gonzalez, Corinna Lira, Monica Morin. Front Row: Rosie Almaguer, Cindy Pelagio (coach), Denae Arnold.
Five years ago, Driscoll Elementary School’s reading scores were mired in mediocrity. It wasn’t for lack of effort. The students worked hard, and the teachers worked even harder to raise scores and prepare their students for higher-level learning. However, the countless hours of work were not reflected in test results or grades. It was a frustrating mix. The high poverty levels in the district and other indirect influences would have been easy excuses to cling to, but shirking the problem was simply not acceptable for Driscoll staff or students.
Enter Reading First. Five years after Reading First was implemented, Driscoll Elementary students are enjoying record levels of literacy achievement.
How did this happen? Starting with professional development, teachers became experts at explicit reading instruction and faithfully used the core reading program to teach the five components of reading. That first year, students were benchmarked, and over 50% were placed in Tier II. The teachers and students had their work cut out for them but were willing to give Reading First a chance. After the first administration of the Reading Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), scores had only marginally improved, with 66% passing and only 7% at “commended performance.” Because all the stakeholders realized this was a process, they continued to apply everything Reading First had taught them. By the second administration of the Reading TAKS, 93% had passed.
Driscoll’s teachers, reading coach, and principal carefully analyzed student data, and, based on student needs, the school customized its professional development and instruction. Thanks to these practices and its strict adherence to Reading First precepts, Driscoll Elementary began to experience success in reading.
Kindergarteners and first-grade students consistently have over 90% developed in all areas of the Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI). Students are leaving kindergarten as established readers. This year, the 28 kindergarten students independently read and tested well on over 1,550 books! First- and second-graders’ fluency and comprehension scores continue to meet or exceed district goals.
Last year, the third-grade TAKS scores on the first administration skyrocketed to 100% passing, with 40% earning “commended performance.” The 2008-2009 TAKS data for Driscoll Elementary indicate it will be rated ”exemplary”—the highest Texas Education Agency (TEA) campus rating—for the first time in the school’s history.
Five years ago, no one could have predicted the success Reading First has brought to Driscoll Elementary. One thing is certain, however: This is a literacy success story that will pay dividends for generations to come.