A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

NEBRASKA

OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
America Reads Contact: Susan Aden
3215 Cuming Street
Omaha, NE
E-mail: adens@ops.org
Telephone: (402) 557-2590 Fax: (402) 557-2509

Omaha Public Schools provides one-on-one tutoring at 7 elementary schools sponsored by its America Reads-Omaha Reads program. Partnerships with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (work-study program) and community businesses and organizations supplied 50 tutors who read with 200 students from one to three times weekly during the 1999-2000 school year.

Tutoring:Tutors receive training provided through Reading Services - Title 1 prior to starting work. Materials include ideas for the first session and the format and support activities for 30 minute reading sessions. Tutors have on-site support from a reading specialist, who coordinates the program, and a school staff person acting as a mentor. They participate in training/discussion sessions each month. the tutoring format includes repeated reading for fluency, read aloud, shared reading, collecting vocabulary, and opportunities for writing and talking about the books.

Resources:The focus for the America Reads program is on primary students, and progress is determined by recording the number of high frequency words, phonic knowledge, and fluency. In order to provide an efficient and effective program, each student is provided with a working folder containing goal forms, student records, and a reading calendar. The folders and books, which are provided, are kept in a central location at each school. Emphasis is given to matching books to students' reading ability, and selections include children's literature, folk tales and fairy tales, information books, leveled books and easy chapter books. As a highlight, donations have allowed tutors to select, read, and present a gift book to each student.

Research: Teachers, administrators, and tutors complete program evaluations. Teachers welcome the tutors who are able to keep their students engaged with reading during consistent, supported reading time. Tutors are also mentors who enjoy their students and celebrate the progress they make with reading skills and self-confidence. "I felt it was very rewarding to me and effective to the students. I think I helped them make real progress. The highlight of my experience was when, after reading a book to one of my students, she looked at me and said, 'Someday I'm going to write books just like the ones you read to me.'" (Kristin) This year tutors also provided reading time for children during parent-teacher conferences. The America Reads tutors are a valuable addition to the school learning community!

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