It’s cold. Very cold. So, so very cold. However, READ Center teachers, tutors and students happily returned to classes this week.
READ’s second semester of the 2017-2018 academic year is under way. But, before we get too far into the new semester, let’s review READ’s first semester.
September 2017 kicked off an academic year filled with change and opportunity:
- READ changed to a trimester schedule which adds 5 additional weeks of instruction for students. So far, so good.
- A new student assessment tool, Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE), was implemented. The results from the first semester are being analyzed and will be reported in the coming weeks.
- New student orientation began in September to help students become familiar with READ programs, policies and procedures. The process seems to be helping with student attendance. We will continue to collect data to analyze the trend.
- READ began testing an online reading app to increase students’ reading practice time and digital skills. Implementation has not been easy due to the need for students to have email accounts which the majority of READ students do not have. Setting up email accounts is now part of digital learning lessons for students who will use the app.
- READ changed its definition of literacy to include math and digital learning. Both subjects are being incorporated into classes, but as you can see from student comments below they want more!
We also asked our students how they thought things were going. Here are the results of the student evaluation:
| READ Center Student Evaluation | |||
| Agree | Sometimes | Disagree | |
| Class: | |||
| I liked this class. | 98% | 2% | |
| This class was too hard. | 12% | 42% | 47% |
| This class was too easy. | |||
| The classroom was good for learning. | 97% | 3% | |
| Teacher: | |||
| The teacher came to class ready to teach. | 100% | ||
| The teacher helped me when I had questions. | 98% | 2% | |
| The lessons were interactive. | 90% | 10% | |
| The lessons were at the right pace. | 82% | 16% | 2% |
| My reading has improved. | 95% | 5% | |
| Tutor: | |||
| The tutor treated me with respect. | 100% | ||
| The tutor helped me reach my goal(s). | 90% | 8% | 2% |
| The tutor supported the teacher in class. | 98% | 2% |
Student Comments:
The class would be better if:
- More time
- Use the computer more
- Go Slower
- Class was longer
- Other students didn’t call out the answer when it is not their turn
- More access to computers
- Work with the same tutor every time
- More time 1:1 with tutor
- Textbooks to take home even if we have to pay for them
- Work more with math in class
- Too much noise.
As we begin a new year and new semester, we will take what we learned from our students, tutors and teachers to make our next semester even better. Learning to read, to do math, to improve digital skills as an adult is hard work and it takes time. The READ Center believes everyone needs and deserves a literate life, and our commitment is to provide the best adult literacy services possible.
