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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), in partnership
with the RFI Foundation; Comcast Cable; and the Montgomery
County Government is implementing the Ruth Rales
Comcast Kids Reading Network to boost the reading
proficiency of 840 second grade students in 56 targeted
elementary schools.
- Provides weekly, one-on-one tutoring support
for 840 Grade 2 students reading at or below grade
level.
- Uses the scientifically research-based Reading
Together™ program, which focuses on improving
students’ vocabulary, background knowledge,
reading fluency and comprehension.
- Reading Together™ began 22 years ago in
Israel as a program title Yachad, which
means “together” in Hebrew.
- Includes training and ongoing support for volunteers
and school coordinators.
- Funded in part by a $270,000 contribution over
three years by Debby and Joshua Rales of the RFI
Foundation, in honor of Joshua Rales’ late
mother, Ruth and a $1,000,000 contribution over
three years by Comcast Cable.
- Recruits volunteers through three nonprofit community
organizations: Interages, Inc., George B. Thomas,
Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., and Passion for Learning,
Inc.
- Greater percentages of participating students
in all subgroups scored at or above the 60th percentile
on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS).
- Greater percentages of participating students
in all subgroups reached end-of-year benchmark
on MCPS local reading assessments.
- 41% of participating Grade 2 students who were
below grade level in the fall, scored at or above
the 60th percentile on the CTBS compared to 18%
of the control group.
- Named the Maryland winner of the Civic Star Award
from the American Association of School Administrators
and Sedexho School Services. This award recognizes
school districts that team with local communities
to develop and implement innovative programs that
enrich student learning.
- The evaluation of the program is utilizes the
results of the district’s reading assessment
data, as well as student, parent, and volunteer
survey information.
- For more information about the program, contact
the MCPS Division
of Family and Community Partnerships at 301-279-3890.
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We
usually start by looking at the pictures together.
I listen to him read. I listen to see if he reads
correctly and check off his progress. If he gets
to a word he doesn’t know, I ask him to
stop. I say the word and then I ask him to repeat
it.
—Volunteer
Tutor |
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