Our school started using the Renaissance Learning program about 4 years ago. We use the accelerated reader program and we just added the accelerated math program last year. This can be a costly program to set up, but it is wonderful. I can't tell you what a difference it made in my children's reading and the entire schools. I'm not sure what our scores were on standardized tests 4 years ago, but I know we raised them considerably. We now have 100 proficiency on reading, language, science, etc. Only our math was at 86 percent. The teachers say that it is absolutely due to the accelerated reader program. The kids read books and then take computerized tests on them. The program initially tests them to see what grade level they are reading at and then they have to choose books in that grade level to test on. It can be costly because you have to purchase tests for the books in packages. Our PTO and student council helped fund the math program and we also have some funds set aside to help purchase tests for the reading program. We also have virtually no discipline problems because the students all feel that they have suceeded every day. Each student works at his or her own level of learning. I just can't say enough about this program. They do have a website renlearn.com. If you have any questions about it please feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Momski, thanks for the idea. We're looking more for an after-school program that would get kids home before dinner. We've got money in the budget for transportation (buses), but just don't know where to start on any kind of tutoring or homework-help program. Reading is the big issue. Just out today is a study which shows that Louisiana schools get a grade of C- based on the percentage of chldren who are proficient or above proficient in all subjects. How sad and scary is that?? Just 12 percent of all students in the state test as proficient! It freaks me out!

These Community Learning Centers (CLC) are grant funded.

There's money involved here as staff needs to be hired and the programs usually are not volunteer driven.

Our CLC even feeds the kids dinner every night!

Is anyone in your group good at writing grants?

If not, pay the money to send them to a grant writing seminar (they are out there!) or encourage one of the teaching staff to do so and have the PTO pay the couple hundred, so your school can get thousands.

[ 01-06-2003: Message edited by: Momski ]</p>

I'm looking for a program model for a reading stimulus or literacy program that the PTO in my school can use to help underperforming students come up to grade level. The bottom line is this -- our school has an increasing minority, low-income population (from 32%, to 38% in two years), and the honest but unfortunate byproduct of that is dropping test scores and growing behavioral problems. Many of the school's administrators, couselors, teachers, etc. feel that a mentoring/literacy program would be a great help. Because I am a strong proponent of making sure that all children can read, I'm on that bandwagon, but I have no idea where to turn for help.

Ideally, I would like to find a program that utilizes resources which already exist in the community, such as the Adult Literacy Program, the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. I've heard of a program called "Communities in Schools," but have been unable to get much usable information on it.

Anyway, I'm desperate for some direction here. Advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated! If I just knew who to contact, or what direction to take in my research, I could move forward. My goal is to bring the low-performing students up, and in the process, improve the school as a whole.

C. Adams
PTO prez - Plantation Elementary School
Lafayette, Louisiana