[MOSAIC] Mosaic Digest, Vol 3, Issue 23

[Diana Triplett]

>My district is looking into Read 180 as a means of working with our AIS and 
>Special Ed population >for those students who are reading at least 2 years 
>below grade level. A representative from the >company is doing a 
>presentataion on Wednesday. Since this is a costly program and the sales 
>rep is >going to be doing a high powered pitch, I'd like some feedback from 
>any of you using it as to the >pros and cons of the program. What are the 
>strengths? Weaknesses? Is it for those students >having difficultly in 
>decoding? Comprehension? Fluency? Is it motivating? It looks as though it 
>is >extremely time consuming. Any feedback would be greatly 
>appreciated!!Thanks!Joanne

Hi Joanne,
I've monitored this list off and on for years, but rarely post due to time 
constraints.

Read 180 is a Scholastic program.  To be effective, it requires 90 minutes 
of uninterrupted time daily.  Each block of time begins with a whole group 
lesson followed by small group rotations.  The session ends with a 
read-aloud.  The small groups include a teacher directed group, independent 
reading, and a computer segment.  The 3 rotating groups are supposed to be 5 
students or less, so class size is supposed to be capped at 15.

The program includes the books for independent reading and computerized 
tests for accountability, and lessons for the whole group and small groups.  
It also includes the software for the computer group.  I am no fan of 
compterized reading programs, but this one is pretty good.  It includes 
video clips to build background knowledge, interactive reading passages, and 
follow-up activities.  It also has a fluency component that allows the 
student to record his/her oral reading on the computer.

If you've seen the Scholastic Summer School materials, they are very similar 
except for the computer component.

We have two Read 180 classrooms in my middle school.  The biggest problem 
has been keeping the computers functioning correctly.  The software requires 
fairly sophisticated computers to play the video clips smoothly and record 
the fluency checks.  The software is on discs which get damaged with 
frequent use, so it is advisable to copy the disks before using them.  We 
have trouble with our computers going down frequently.  I'm not sure exactly 
why.

It's a pretty good program, but not really any better than a qualified 
teacher could put together much cheaper.

Diana
Middle School Literacy Coach

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