Raising Reading Levels: Lessons From a High-Poverty High School

Printer-friendly version

A decade ago, 20 percent of tenth-graders met state reading standards at Granger High School in Washington’s Yakima Valley. Thanks to former Principal Richard Esparza and his reading consultant, Will Roulston, that number nearly quadrupled in seven years. Learn about their secret weapon: “Second Shot Reading.” Required for students two grades behind in reading, this program uses dilemma-based stories as brief as one paragraph to build confidence and skill in fluency and comprehension. Second Shot’s small classes—rich in reading, writing, and discussion—have helped students meet standards at Granger.
Presenters: Richard Esparza, former principal, Granger High School, Granger, Wash.; William Roulston, reading consultant, Lakewood, Colo.