Partners ensure no child is left behind in reading

In 2020, we saw our nation’s schools thrown into chaos as teachers pivoted to online teaching and families transitioned to having their children learning from home. Schools in lower-income neighborhoods were hit even harder as they saw large staff turnover and struggled to locate and engage students as the pandemic continued. Technology gaps, funding needs, and burnout persisted. But 2021 was a rebuilding year for schools as they got to work on addressing the “COVID Slide”. 

The REED Charitable Foundation supported West Lakes Schools, including Orange Center Elementary, Rock Lake Elementary and Legends Academy by offering free teacher training and implementation support in a highly effective teaching method for teaching all students how to read and essential for those who are struggling to learn to read. Studies have found that to become good readers, all children must be provided direct, explicit, systematic, multisensory phonics instruction. The Orton-Gillingham approach provides all of these components of reading instruction as well as ensuring that the approach is diagnostic, prescriptive and emotionally sound, which is why it is considered the "gold standard" method for ensuring students with dyslexia successfully learn to read, write and spell. This training typically costs anywhere from $800-$3000/teacher, which makes it largely inaccessible to most schools. Thanks to the REED Charitable Foundation, West Lakes teachers now have additional effective methods they can use to better serve every student in their classroom.

Orange Center Elementary implemented Read2Succeed offered by the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools. Read2Succeed is a tutoring program designed to support students who need a little extra assistance to develop their literacy skills in kindergarten, first, and second grades. The program strives to foster a love of reading, sharpen reading skills, and build student self-confidence. “Read2Succeed implementation has been such a blessing for our students at Orange Center Elementary. Our students look forward to attending the sessions with their reading instructors. The efficacy of the program is evident in the assessment data for the students who are supported,” says Orange Center Elementary Principal, Dr. Fredrick Brooks.

Over at the West Lakes Early Learning Center and the Jacqueline Bradley & Clarence Otis Boys Family Branch Boys & Girls Club, teachers and staff participated in Lively Letters training. Lively Letters™ is a research-based and clinically-proven, multi-sensory reading program that turns plain, abstract letters and sounds into lively characters. This widely acclaimed and innovative program is known for its success in accelerating reading achievement and closing gaps for struggling readers. 

And MVP Strong Families supported West Lakes students and families by introducing Readers and Leaders in partnership with the Orange County Public Library System. ​​Through this program youth and their parents are able to participate in a monthly free access online event. Modeled after the Barbershop Book club, the monthly event gives children a fun experience with storytelling. Each month features a storytelling reading from a culturally appropriate book selection. Over the course of 10 events throughout 2021, over 100 students discovered a passion for reading through the program.

Correcting the COVID Slide will be a long-term educational effort in West Lakes but our educational partners came together in 2021 to find solutions and resources to ensure no student will be left behind!

Reading sits at the foundation of all academic success. In fact, studies have shown children with high literacy aptitudes and a love for reading most often develop into adults with high emotional intelligence who seek out more promising careers. What you learn in preschool and kindergarten regarding literacy really does influence your future success!

Learn more about Lift Orlando’s work in The Communities of West Lakes and all of the exciting events and milestones happening last year in West Lakes by reading the 2021 Annual Report!