Reading First Success with Direct Instruction Intervention Programs

When Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman first visited the Gering Public School system in February of 2009, he witnessed one of the most successful reading intervention initiatives in the entire state. 5 years ago Gering Schools began implementing direct instruction reading intervention programs as part of the district's Reading First initiative. Before reading programs such as SRA's Reading Mastery were implemented only about 33% of the district's third graders were reading on grade level. Today, over 80% of Gering 3rd graders are reading on grade level. Heineman first heard of Gering's success after viewing a video entitled "Closing the Performance Gap: the Gering Story," which was produced to detail the success of the district's reform initiatives.

As is evident on the Gering Schools Web site, the district has every right to be proud of its success:

Gering has experienced some of the greatest gains in student achievement in the area of reading with regards to standard proficiency data for the previous five years in 4^th, 8^th and 11^th grades. Examples of the reading achievement improvements include a 42% increase for 4^th grade, a 47% increase for 8^th grade and a 26% increase for 11^th grade.

According to Don Hague, superintendent of Gering Schools:

Our student performance data speaks for itself as we continue to improve. Staff and students are all proud of what we are accomplishing. As all students move into our junior high and high school classes, they will continue to be able to do more challenging work because of the improved skills they have acquired.

On Monday, April 27, Dave Heineman returned to Gering schools - this time with NE State Education Commissioner Roger Breed and several education board members in tow. Word of Gering's success with direct instruction reading intervention programs has spread throughout the state, and the district is beginning to be viewed as a model for effective school reform and Reading First implementation.