Jefferson, Georgia

Author:
Tessa Thompson
Reading Specialist
West Jackson Middle School

Date evaluation report completed:
May, 2000

Months/years covered by evaluation:
School year 1999-2000

Number of schools involved:
1 school
35 sixth–grade students

Demographics of sample population:
Jackson County is located northeast of Atlanta, GA; 78% of the county is rural and 22% is urban. West Jackson Middle School has a total enrollment of 600 students in grades 6-8. Approximately 92% of the student population is Caucasian, 5% African American, 2% Hispanic, and 1% Asian. Almost half of the student population is eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Purpose of study:
Measure progress over time of Soar to Success middle school students.

Methodology:
The in-class model was used, students met for 50 minutes 5 days a week.

Measures/indicators used to assess effectiveness:
I.T.B.S Reading Comprehension and Individual Reading Inventory tests

Findings:

Individual Reading Inventory Results

PRE TEST 6th grade .5-4 years below grade level 7th grade 1-4 years below grade level 8th grade 2-5 years below grade level

POST TEST 6th grade – 18 on grade level; 9 on 7th–grade level; 1 at 8th–grade level; 7 at 5th–grade level I.R.I.'s up an average of 1.6 7th grade – 23 on grade level; 3 at 8th–grade level; 1 at 9th–grade level; 7 at 6th–grade level; 1 at 5th grade level I.R.I.'s up an average of 2.1 8th grade – 22 on grade level; 1 at 9th–grade level; 4 at 7th–grade level; 1 at 5th–grade level; 2 at 4th grade level I.R.I.'s up an average of 2.4

ITBS Cumulative National Percentile ranking Increase/Decrease

6th grade: + 271 7th grade: + 157 8th grade: + 91