THE ACADEMIC CORNER
Reading First supports schools, teachers

For the eighth year straight, Washington-Wilkes Primary School has been named a Distinguished School of Excellence! We are very proud of this accomplishment and we understand that it does not happen without a lot of hard work and dedication from students, teachers, parents, and the community. We are always striving to make each year better than the others; working to ensure that our students have the very best that the educational world has to offer.

Teachers and staff at Washington Wilkes Primary School are always involved in professional development to learn new skills and refine their knowledge and strategies in all areas of instruction, All teachers at W-WPS hold at least a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education as well as teaching certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Over 50% of the staff holds graduate degrees: (Masters, Specialist, Doctorate) in the advanced

fields of education. Presently, seven more teachers are planning to begin graduate degrees in January. All teachers in the school are "Highly Qualified" in accordance with federal guidelines. W-WPS teachers are well trained in effective educational practice.

W-WPS is in its fourth year as the recipient of the Reading First! grant. National Reading First focuses on putting proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms. Through Reading First, Georgia has received funds to support schools and teachers in applying scientifically-based reading research to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of the third grade. The Reading First program will assist us as we seek to develop and implement research based reading programs for students in kindergarten through the third grade. Of the 116 students in the current third class, only five students (including students with special needs) did not pass the CRCT in Reading last spring.

The primary goal of this unprecedented level of funding is to provide professional development of sufficient intensity and duration to ensure that all teachers have the skills they need to teach reading effectively. Integral to this effort is assisting teachers in learning to screen for, identify, and eliminate reading barriers facing their students. Each teacher at W-WPS has received over 200 hours related to effective reading instruction in the past three years. In addition to the professional development provided for teachers, this grant provides material for effective reading instruction and a Literacy Coach to facilitate training and coaching throughout the school year. Lisa Lindsey Isham is the Literacy Coach at W-WPS. She is a Reading Specialist and holds a Masters degree as well as a Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Isham has 17 years of teaching experience - all at W-WPS!

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