District reports gains in reading program; 15% of 'emergency' readers reached proficiency

Whitko Community School Corp. officials told the board on April 15 that districtwide ARC (American Reading Company) assessment data show growth and initial movement among students identified as 'emergency' readers.

Amy Evans, speaking for Whitco Junior-Senior High and the ARC team, said district averages rose and that a snapshot showed 273 K–6 students classified as well below grade level — approximately 44 percent of that cohort. She reported that, of those 273 students, 15 percent have moved from 'well below' to proficient in the period measured by ARC.

Evans credited targeted teacher interventions and the use of reading goals for the gains. "Fifteen percent of that growth going from well below grade average, out of those 15% are now proficient," she said. The ARC team will prepare a further report at the end of the year that includes junior-high data.

Board members and administrators said the qualitative stories behind the numbers illustrate improvements and suggested sharing the data with partners to support continued growth. No formal action was required; the item was an informational report to the board.