School district ranks in top 25% reading first

November 07, 2007 03:20 pm

— The Florida Department of Education sent congratulations this week to the Suwannee County School District for its increased achievement in reading! According to Cari Miller, Director, Reading First, Just Read, Florida!, the Suwannee County School District is in the top 25% of Reading First districts.
The Reading First schools receiving this recognition and good news are Branford Elementary School, Suwannee Primary School, and Suwannee Elementary School.
Mrs. Nancy Roberts, Director of Elementary Education and Walter Boatright, Jr., Superintendent of Schools received the congratulations notice from DOE on October 23, 2007. The Reading First program has provided funding and support to teachers of children in Kindergarten through Third Grade to really put reading first!!!!
This recognition represents the districtís success in achieving increased student reading achievement consistently since the inception of Reading First. Congratulations to teachers, reading coaches, and school administrators who have worked diligently for four years in the Reading First schools. As a result of the hard work of students, staff and parents, these schools have continued to increase the percentage of students reading at or above grade level and to reduce the percentage of students with serious reading difficulties in Kindergarten through Third Grade.
Teachers have participated in many hours of professional development to help students engage in effective instructional reading activities. Parents have become more involved in working with students at home by using specific reading strategies provided by teachers.
For additional information concerning Reading First, Just Read, Florida, please call Nancy Roberts at 364-2622 or Cari Miller at (850) 245-0503.