State of Our School Outreach Collins Elementary School

State of Our School Outreach Collins Elementary School Collins Public Library

The Importance of Reading • Reading skills correspond directly to one’s ability to… • • • be an informed citizen • Literary readers are: • 3 times as likely to attend a performing arts event earn a higher salary • 4 times as likely to visit an art museum • 2 1/2 times as likely to do volunteer or succeed in one’s chosen career, and • 1 1/2 times as likely to attend sporting communicate effectively achieve personal fulfillment charity work events, and • 1 ½ times as likely to participate in sports activities. National Endowment for the Arts – “To Read or Not to Read”; corroborated by “Adult Literacy in America” a report from the National Center for Educational Statistics

Kindergarten and First Grade • In the Fall of 2017, 15% of of Kindergarteners and first graders (combined) were below proficient in reading. (FAST Learning) • • K-1 15% were below the 20 th percentile 6% were at the 20 -30 th percentile 44% were at the 30 -85 th percentile 34% were at or above the 80 th percentile

Third Grade Results • Third Grade • In the Fall of 2017, 17% of third-fifth (combined) graders were below proficient in reading. (FAST Learning) • From 2015 -2016 to 2016 -2017, the number of third graders proficient in reading dropped 7% on the Iowa Assessments. • 15 -16 94. 2% • 16 -17 86. 9%

Demographic Changes in the Last 5 Years • The number of students on Free and Reduced Lunch have increased 35%. • The number of special education students have increased 3%. • The number of English Language Learners has increased 2%. • Our minority groups have increased 15%. • Iowa School Report Card

Reading Goals • The Collins Elementary building goal is to have 93. 2% of students, kindergarten through fifth grade, at proficient or higher in Reading by the end of the 2017 -2018 school year.

Teacher Professional Development • Teachers will learn new strategies and create a bank of reading strategies to increase comprehension and fluency. • Teachers will use these strategies in the classroom and share with other teachers in their PLC’s.

Utilizing Resources • English Language Learner Teachers and Special Education Teachers will be supporting teachers in the classroom and working with those growing demographics. • Instructional Strategists and Literacy Coaches will be going into classrooms and pulling small groups of struggling readers to give extra support. • Area Education Agency will provide Professional development in learning strategies for teachers to recognize reasons for deficiencies.

Reading Programs • Building wide Sustained Silent Reading time. • Reading Incentive Programs to inspire kids to read. • Work with parents to encourage reading at home.

How Can Your Organization Help? • • Raise money for library books. Or create a book drive. Come into the classrooms and read to children. Be a Book Buddy! Encourage parents to read to their children. “Sponsor” a classroom. Read Posters in your business that show you reading. Volunteer or Sponsor an after school reading program. Sponsor one of our incentive programs. Volunteer to be on our Community Outreach Committee

Partnership • “Researchers cite parent-family- community involvement as a key to addressing the school dropout crisis 1 and note that strong school -family-community partnerships foster higher educational aspirations and more motivated students. " • “In fact, community support of the educational process is considered one of the characteristics common to high-performing schools. ” • Gathered from NEA Policy Brief