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Opinion Elgin reads to succeed
Elgin reads to succeed
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With the state figuring that one in four Oregon adults is functionally
illiterate, it’s important to do all we can to reverse that trend in
the future. Elgin is doing just that. The northern Union County city
has taken the reading bull by the horns. The strategy is multi-pronged. The Early Reading Intervention Program, Read to Succeed, the 90 Percent Reading Program and full-day kindergarten classes are helping young students in Elgin get a jump on academic success. Kindergartners there are on average far exceeding national reading levels for students of that age. Caring teachers and high standards are very important to the success of the Elgin reading program. Full-day kindergarten is, too. The full-day kindergarten, which started five years ago, provides the kids more hours of quality instruction. To be good at anything, reading included, takes a significant investment in time and smart, well-structured instruction. It’s all part of building for the future. To succeed in challenging, competitive public schools, students need a strong foundation. The Elgin program is providing a structure that will serve the students well for a lifetime. The reading programs are helping instill a passion for reading and learning in the young students. That is an impressive achievement in itself. After all, shouldn’t the No. 1 goal of schools be to instill in students a lifelong love of learning? Shouldn’t programs be designed to reveal to students their capabilities and to expand their horizons? The Elgin reading programs also prove the power of education and what can happen when students develop a passion for learning at an early age. The programs succeed for a couple of reasons. One is their commitment to excellence. Another is their knowledge that good reading can open many doors in life. Of course, we in the newspaper industry are all for building strong reading skills. Being able to read improves people’s general problem-solving skills and their ability to accomplish peaceful negotiation. Reading also helps instill a love of learning. It sets off intellectual fireworks, and who could be opposed to a little more fireworks to brighten up the life of the mind? Of course, as all good readers know, the family component is a key to reading success. It can’t all be accomplished behind schoolhouse doors. Teachers can’t carry the entire burden. It’s important that the students get frequent further mentoring and encouragement at home so that they become enthusiastic and accomplished readers. Education is an important investment in the future, and the Elgin reading program is helping make that future brighter. Hopefully there can be expanded educational opportunities at other area schools that mirror the success of the Elgin program. Elgin administrators, teachers, school board, parents and the students themselves are to be congratulated on a job well done getting kids off to a strong educational start. |
