Health Occupations and America Reads Program

Third grade student's poor reading scores had become a major community concern. In response, high school students planned the Health Occupations and America Reads Program to improve reading skills for children in local schools as well as those across the state. Student leaders planned the project and even wrote the grant proposal.

The project was divided into multiple parts, with one high school student in charge of each activity. The health occupations class tutored 3rd graders to prepare them for a reading assessment test, and also completed two reading activities with them. Other students selected materials for "School, Parents and Reading Connection" bags, which were sent home with elementary school students. The materials encourage family participation in activities designed to strengthen reading skills. Finally, students produced audio tapes of required high school reading assignments for students who use the high school learning center. Students who have difficulty with reading comprehension can now listen to their assignments while reading them.

As part of the process, participants learned about the various learning disabilities and the problems faced by learning-disabled students. They also learned tutoring methods for preparing children for a reading assessment test. In total, nearly 100 students received training on learning disabilities and tutoring techniques.

Adapted from "Learning from Experience: A Collection of Service-Learning Projects Linking Academic Standards to Curriculum," &#169 2000 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (800) 243-8782. www.dpi.state.wi.us/pubsales. Used by NYLC with permission of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.