Fremont Public Schools Expands Computer-Based Reading Programs
Fremont Public Schools in Michigan is
expanding its implementation of a computer-based reading program after seeing
positive results in its middle school.
In 2012, the state of Michigan labeled Fremont Middle School as a "Focus"
school, meaning it had one of the largest achievement gaps between its top 30
percent of students and its bottom 30 percent. After receiving that
designation, the school began looking for reading programs that could help all
of its students and ended up selecting the Fast ForWord reading
remediation program and the Reading Assistant digital reading tutor from Scientific Learning. Two years later, in 2014, the
school received a new designation as a "Reward" school, meaning it had made
significant gains in student achievement.
"Our middle school earned the 'Reward' school designation
because of the large improvements in reading and math by our Title 1 and
special education students," said Ken Haggart, superintendent of Fremont
Public Schools, in a prepared statement. "Our students have come a long
way and we give a lot of credit to the Scientific Learning programs for
that."
This fall, the district is expanding its implementation of Fast ForWord and
Reading Assistant to Pathfinder Elementary, Fremont High School and Quest
Alternative High School. "Our goals are to bring students up to grade level and
give them the opportunity to achieve success," said Haggart.
Another Michigan school, Dudley STEM
School in Battle Creek was designated as a "Priority" school in 2014,
meaning it was ranked in the bottom five percent of schools in the state. In an
effort to improve student achievement, the school is implementing Fast ForWord
for all of its students this fall, along with other research-based
interventions.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].