Learning Post-Pandemic
The Waukee Community Schools Foundation recently approved a grant in support of Radiant Elementary’s post-pandemic action plan. Testing data from Radiant shows students needing support with beginner reading skills across all grade levels. In fall of 2022, testing data showed only 76% of Radiant students were proficient in reading. The data also showed that first, second, and third grade students, who were highly impacted by alternative instruction due to the pandemic, are needing resources to close learning gaps.
Radiant teachers devised a plan to support students in a new and innovative way by using decodable readers. Radiant has been using leveled readers, but new research shows that students need opportunities reading simple phonemes in texts. Decodable readers are specially written texts that introduce only a few new words and sounds at each stage. Each series follows a phonic progression that allows students to read an increasing number of words, with the goal of becoming fluent, independent readers.
Radiant’s literacy academic goal is to see 100% of Radiant students increase on the reading screener from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. Additionally, teachers would like to have at least 80% of their students being proficient in reading by the end of each school year.
The Foundation, in partnership with Radiant PTO, provided a grant to purchase Decodable Readers to be used across all grade levels, kindergarten through fifth grade. “The Foundation was really encouraged by this grant application in a couple different ways,” said Adrianne Towe, Waukee Community Schools Foundation Executive Director. “We appreciated how the testing data was used to make an informed, comprehensive, and ambitious action plan. Radiant’s building funds are being used to provide professional development to staff in the areas of guided reading and word study to accompany the materials from this grant and Radiant's PTO partnered with us financially to make the purchases. Plus, it’s exceedingly clear that Radiant teachers are excited to explore new, innovative, and trailblazing ways to support students in our post-pandemic classrooms.”
The Waukee Community Schools Foundation accepts grant requests from any WCSD employee, student, or district-registered parent orgranization. Applications may be found here.