Title I Reading
Welcome!
by Diana Doglio
Dear Visitor,
Hello. My name is Diana Doglio. I have been with the Pawnee School District since 1978 and am currently the district’s sole Title I Reading teacher working with students in grades 1—6. I earned a Master’s degree in Reading from Western Illinois University, and passed the state exam to receive a Reading Specialist designation in 2005.
Though I sometimes go into the classrooms to work with the whole class, most often each Title I group, consisting of 4-6 students, meets daily for thirty minutes in what is known as a Targeted-Assistance Plan. Students are not taken out of core subjects such as Reading, Math, and Science, or special subjects like Music, PE, or Computers.
Title I is federally funded and specifically designed to provide all students with the opportunity to succeed in Reading. The program serves millions of students in public, private, and parochial schools across the country and has been in existence at our school for over 25 years.
Goals of Title I at PGS are to provide a high-quality education by:
- Reinforcing and supplementing classroom reading instruction using research based strategies/materials;
- Providing targeted instruction centered on the Illinois Learning Standards/Goals;
- Building self confidence while helping to create a positive attitude toward reading in order to promote independent reading and life long learning;
- Communicating with parents and teachers to help students achieve their full reading potential.
The selection of students for Title I services is based on teacher recommendation, test scores, and classroom performance, including daily work. Involvement in no way labels children; in fact, it can be compared to tutoring that is aligned to grade level classroom expectations for Language Arts. Weekly communication with teachers concerning individual student progress provides valuable information regarding the specific skills/strategies needing reinforcement.
Participants are Phased-Out of Title I when they have met district fluency goals, and have mastered the grade level skills/comprehension strategies necessary to be consistently successful. The rate of students coming in, and being Phased-Out is much higher in first grade than in any other.
Generally, I end up working with at least 20% of all students in attendance, but in first grade it is typically higher. Beginning readers often need additional support because so much new material is introduced at a fast pace, which makes the transition from Kindergarten to First Grade overwhelming for many. Also, some children are just able to relax, perform better, and achieve more in a small group setting where individual attention is readily available. Having had fifteen years of experience as a first grade teacher, I am in tune with the needs of beginning readers. In the intermediate grades, I focus on teaching reading skills/strategies that improve comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and structural analysis. Test Preparation, Spelling, and Study Skills are areas addressed at all levels.
The success of Title I is contingent upon parental involvement. Parents are encouraged to listen to their child read, as well as to read to their child daily. It is widely believed that, "Reading to your child may be the single most powerful contribution that a parent can make toward a child's success in school." In addition, research has demonstrated, "The parent or caregiver is the child's first and most important teacher and plays an inestimable role in laying the foundation for learning to read." (Becoming a Nation of Readers) Therefore, for the younger set, books and activities such as Word Sorts are often sent home to specifically reinforce what children are learning in school. A sign and return feature is included so that I am assured parents know it is text I want them to listen to their child read. Older students should focus on classroom assignments/homework/tests and self selected Accelerated Readers within their independent reading range; additional homework is not sent, unless it is requested.
I encourage you to call if have any questions, concerns, or input that will help me to better serve the children of Pawnee Grade School, or if you would like to schedule a conference. My number at school is (217) 625-2471—Extension #255. Please leave a message and I will return your call promptly. Should you wish to contact me via internet, my e-mail address is dianadoglio@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Diana
Doglio
Title I Reading Specialist
