a rN, __" THE DALLAS REPORTER Reading R 0: emphasized encouraged to bring their subject area textbooks to class where reading guides, 3 The recent cry ‘‘back to basics’ baffles district t. achers who wei der aloud. “Who thinks © ¢ have straved away from emphasizing the basic scholastic skills?” During the past few years district teachers have worked to develop interesting and relevant approaches to helping students acquire basic skills, a fundamental core of knowledge. and the skills to make use of what they have learned. The junior high reading program is one be competent in the basic skills. Teachers, parents, and students have recognized the need to be able to read faster with more accurate understanding. An extensive survey of students’ achievement test results pinpointed the reading skill areas where improvement was needed. Teachers and administrators examined new reading materials and studied reading programs designed to help students improve reading skills. A group of teachers and principlas visited districts recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as having very Your school board Today's schools face many challenges. It is your elected directors, sitting as the Poard of Education, that provides the team effort in setting direction for ef= fective action concerning education in the Dallas School District. This is the group responsible for the long-range planning necessary to keep abreast of develop- nents inoedacation and to stave off educational obsolescence. The Board of School Directors of the Pallas School Distriet has developed through the ears a reputation for thoroughness, fairness, and willingness to oive audience to all ideas. convictions and opinions Through its actions and ac: complishments. the Dallas Roard has hown a sincere concern for those they serve and has established the mnage of heing committed to providing quality education Public education in the American tradition is controlled and directed by lay persons elected from their communities. Faery election of school directors brings to the service of the State and our com- pounities nen and voon charged with the responsibilit~ - i educating vost of the children in our choc inistpie! Poard approach their responsibilities with the hope and promise that their actions will reflect the desired dipections of their fellow citizens Board nenthers can best serve their com ramities when there is communication nd cooperation among the citizens. The Pallas Poard will continue to promote these charaeteristies and encourages vour vecommendations and involvement nembers Viv. Ernest Ashbridge. Jr. President Mr. Hanford 1. Eckman, Vice-President Mr. William FF. Cutten Col. William H. Dierolf. Jr Mr. Fred W. Dymond. Jr. Mr. Hanford LL. Eckman Mrs. Patricia A. Gregory Me. Harry Letko Mr. William E. Price : Mec Harvey D. Swepsion. Jr building activities in reading center. good secondary school reading programs. Based on their study and visitations, along with suggestions from other teachers and staff, specific plans were formulated to develop a diagnostic-corrective remedial reading program in the Dallas Junior High School. Simply stated we are going to do a better job of finding out a youngster’s specific reading difficulty and involve him strengthen that particular skill. The district’s desire to help students become more competent readers was expressed as part of a program proposal requesting that some Federal funds be allocated to the junior high school reading program. The request was approved and Elementary Secondary Education Act, Title I funds are supporting the expanded program. Two class sections are scheduled for reading at the same time. The sixty to sixty-five students are separated into three groups according to their reading needs as determined by their performance and reading achievement test scores. Students in each group have demonstrated similar levels of achievement and have common needs for building certain reading skillls. Three reading teachers and one instructional aide work as a team in planning the most appropriate instructional activities for individuals in each group. It is possible for students to participate in instructional activities and to use the materials best suited to their individual needs. Attention is also given to reading textbooks and the related materials used in students’ other courses. Students are study skills, and specific reading skills relating to the various subject areas are worked on during reading classes. In addition to the reading help given the students in their other subject area, part of an in-service day was devoted to helping the secondary school teachers and staff become aware of reading skills as they relate to their individual subjects. Methodologies of classroom teacher diagnosis and referrals were discussed, as well as ways to structure a daily lesson to include directed reading activities. A questionnaire was distributed to the staff asking them to give to reading specialists a listing of their students’ specific reading needs and the kind of reading information teachers would find useful such as determining text readability levels; preparing reading guides; matching students to texts based on students’ reading achievements. : The additional reading specialist and instructional aide provided through Federal funds make it possible for teachers to work with smaller groups and to have some time available for individual attention. Close supervision is also available for independent study and extended skills development activities for advanced readers who have demonstrated a strong foundation of basic reading skills. . New materials and equipment available to students include a multi-station student listening center, cassette recorders, and small group audio filmstrip cassette players, as well as multi-media readin activities at all levels. The new program promotes reading as an integral part of the learning process. Mr. Earl D. Fritzges, elected for a six year term--1976-1981. Graduated from Kingston Township High School and Wilkes College. Member of the Trucksville United Methodist Church. Employed by Dun & Bradstreet as a Sales Representative. Served in the U.S. Army. Mr & Mrs. Fritzges have six children. EEE EE EE Mrs. Gloria D. Brennan, elected for a six year term--1976-1981. Graduated from G.A.R. High School. Member of the Gate of Heaven Church. Occupation-housewife. Mr. & Mrs. Brennan have five children. Mr. Richard D. Hislop, elected for a six year term--1976-1981. Graduated from Dallas Township High' School and Bloomsburg State College. Affiliated with the Y.M.C.A., many boys’ sports groups, Member of the. International Association of Machinists and has served as its secretary. Member of the Orange United Methodist Church. Employed by the Diamond Manufacturing Company as a tool and die maker. The Hislops have three children. CER .
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers