18 Feb Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School students top New Mexico’s list for Reading Plus
Students at Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School have been reveling in class achievements. The most recent milestone has faculty and staff sharing in the celebration. According to McComas and Associated Inc., students averaged 57 reading lessons and are ranked in the top five of schools in New Mexico for Reading Lessons Completed. Overall, DCCCHS came out No. 1 in the state among the 90 schools that participated statewide.
The honor came under the Reading Plus program (www.readingplus.com) that uses data to improve learning skills as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) under federal law. Following the program has proven to significantly improve reading achievement for students in grades 3-12.
“Our entire staff and student body are excited about being the top Reading Plus school in the state of New Mexico,” said DCCCHS Principal Jerry Lee. “The school is experiencing a success that it has never experienced before.”
Here are the no-so-hidden hurdles that Reading Plus uses to catapult students into Reading Plus:
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Self-improvement
• Self-efficiency
• Interest
• Silent reading efficiency
It is based on research that shows that 70% of non-proficient readers process text inefficiently. This statistic alone prevents the development in fluency, comprehension and motivation among students.
Students who begin the Reading Plus adventure will experience changes almost immediately, according to the website at www.readingplus.com. The first-hand experience puts the student in control of their own success and motivates them to succeed at their own pace. That pace soon becomes accelerated through [personalized practice and adaptive instruction. Students gain independence in the classroom and hurry at the chance to explore more subjects they are motivated by.
“I constantly remind the student that Reading Plus is the most important thing we do all day at DCCCHS, said Lynda Call, DCCCHS reading interventionist. “Many of our students have struggled in school in the past because that have low reading levels. You cannot be successful in a high school classroom if you read at a fourth-grade level.
“Reading Plus is a research-based online program that provides our students with the skills they need to become better readers.”
Students at DCCCHS continue to thrive due to the commitment of the school’s faculty, administration, staff, and from the support of the continued support of the Deming Public Schools.
“This achievement was driven by Reading Interventionist, Lynda Call whose dogged commitment to the program inspired everyone in the school to follow her lead. Lee said. “All staff, and especially students, have been blessed with the unintended lesson about the potential outcomes that true commitment can bring.”
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2606) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.