Thursday, April 30, 2009
Nehemiah Osequera of David Nycz's class uses the Achieve3000® as a
supplement to reading assignments.
Reading hasn't always been easy for Nehemiah Oserguera.
The Stanfield Elementary School sixth grader struggled with reading at
his former school. But now, Nehemiah is at a higher level than ever
before - all thanks to an online program called Achieve3000.
And it isn't just Nehemiah who is doing well in the sixth grade. David
Nycz, sixth-grade teacher, said as of midyear, the sixth-grade class has
made a gain of 13 percent over their previous year's state scores. The
school district's goal was 5 percent. Nycz and teaching partner Jeff
Harmon credit Achieve3000 with helping to bring up their students'
reading scores.
"The company takes full articles and translates it to different levels," Nycz
said. "Students read articles (nonfiction), most of which come from the
AP (The Associated Press)."
The articles are put into understandable language for pre-readers
through 12th grade. An assessment test is given to determine a student's
reading level. Once that is done, all the articles the student reads is at his
or her reading level - allowing for success, Harmon said. As students
improve their reading skills, the program automatically raises the reading
level of the articles to match the students' gains.
"I can see it happen on the OAKS (Oregon state test)," Harmon said. "I
have seen kids improve three grade levels."
Each success is celebrated, Nycz said. As students achieve certain levels,
the program's built-in e-mail and simple games are unlocked for kids to
use and enjoy.
Nycz said it is not easy to earn a 100 percent on the multiple choice tests
that are given after a student reads an article. He has tried and the
questions, he said, are difficult.
"The program asks low level, mid-level and high level questions," Nycz
said. "At the high level, you have to infer."
Achieve3000 has helped Sofia Medina improve her reading, too. Like
Nehemiah, she didn't read very well before coming to Stanfield. Now the
sixth grader is the second-fastest reader in the class.
"It's fun and helps people read better and helps them focus better," Sofia
said.
Nehemiah agrees and said reading the articles has helped him reach his
reading goals.
"Every school should do it," Nehemiah said. "It's a privilege to get e-mail
and games. Even second graders do it."
Nehemiah knows he is doing better in reading because the articles he's
reading are getting longer and harder.
"I am getting better (at reading)," he said, "and my scores are so high."
Another classmate of Sofia and Nehemiah, Nicole Hood said Achieve3000 helps her read better and focus more.
"When I get 100 percent, I feel really proud of myself," Nicole said. "When
I first started, I kept getting 88 percent, then the first time I got 100, I
was so excited and so was my mom."
That excitement is what keeps kids interested in the program, Nycz
believes. And for Nicole, reading has become something she enjoys
immensely.
"It's really fun and it teaches you a lot," Nicole said.
Content © 2009 The Hermiston Herald
About Achieve3000
Achieve3000, founded in New Jersey in 2000, is the leader in online differentiated instruction. Its solutions deliver online differentiated literacy curricula proven to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing proficiency for students in grades 2 through 12 and also for adult learners. Through its proprietary software engine, the company uses the Internet to provide tailored assignments to each student in the class based on his or her reading level. The company's solutions are delivered in a nonfiction, current event format and are based on decades of scientific research. They include KidBiz3000™ (a reading and writing program for grades 2 through 5), TeenBiz3000® (a reading and writing program for grades 6 through 12) and Spark3000® (a reading and writing program for adult learners). Achieve3000 is located in Lakewood, N.J., for more information, visit www.achieve3000.com or phone 800-838-8771.
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