Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo Independent School District

Author:
Jeanne Pendergrass, Assistant Principal, Whittier Elementary School

Date evaluation report completed:
June 1998

Months/years covered by evaluation:
12 weeks during the first semester of the 1997-98 school year

Number of schools involved:
5 schools
86 students

Demographics of sample population:
Amarillo ISD has a total enrollment of 29,286 students. In the five schools that are part of this study the enrollments include: 7% Asian, 13% African American, 37% Caucasian and 45% Hispanic. Of the 86 students in the group, approximately 30% were Hispanic.

Purpose of study:
To measure the literacy growth of the Soar to Success students and monitor their achievement on the TAAS (state test).

Methodology:
Eighty-six students in grades 3-4 were chosen for this program. They were reading up to two years below grade level. The students received intervention instruction for 12 weeks. The groups met for 30-40 minutes per day, four days a week. The classroom teachers delivered the instruction.

Measures/indicators used to assess effectiveness:
Qualitative Reading Inventory II
TAAS

Findings: Out of 34 third-grade students tested, the average growth for retelling was 1.9 grade levels, question comprehension was 2.4 grade levels and oral reading was 1.9 grade levels.

Out of 27 fourth-grade students tested, the average growth for retelling was 1 grade level, question comprehension was .8 grade level and oral reading was 2 grade levels.

Out of 25 fifth-grade students tested, the average growth for retelling was 1.9 grade levels, question comprehension was 3.0 grade levels and oral reading was 1.5 grade levels.

TAAS, the Texas State Test was also used. It is given for the first time in 3rd grade.