by Louise Gustafson, retired educator
Since the mid-1960s the Kennewick School District has been known for its strong reading program. So, those who claim that it was the Rosier administration along with the formation of the Reading Foundation that promoted reading in the District are just ill informed. The only difference in the reading approach was the institution of the inane goal, in my opinion, that 90% of third graders would read at “grade level” by the end of third grade. Variables in learning styles and other factors influencing learning are just too great to make such a goal effective. That’s probably the reason that the statistics cited from OSPI show that reading scores in Kennewick don’t necessarily hold up over the years.
As a long time educator, I want all children to have opportunities to have instruction at the elementary level and beyond in the arts, physical education, history, geography, civics, both physical and life sciences, etc. I also want them to be able to participate in sports, drama, music and other activities that help them to stay interested in school. Unfortunately, the heavy emphasis on getting 90% of the students reading at “grade level” by the end of third grade has watered down other subject matter.
In 1965 the District appointed Fran Childs Myers as the first District Reading Coordinator. Mrs. Childs, as she was known at that time, instituted a program for training teachers in effective techniques for teaching children to read. When Federal Title 1 funds became available in 1966, reading specialists were appointed to serve in schools with student populations that came from low income families. Family income is one of the variables that can cause differences in learning. Fran Childs Myers tells me that the goal when she was in charge was that if children showed progress as they learned to read, the reading goal was met. That seems like a more reasonable goal to me.
In 1967 Bob Valiant came to the District. Initially he worked in mostly secondary education then in elementary science and math as well, but it wasn’t long before he was involved with instruction across the District. In the early 1990s he was recognized by the Washington Organization for Reading Development (WORD) and named by WORD the Administrator of the Year. Since retirement Dr.Valiant has continued to work in education and is a highly regarded consultant on educational issues across the country.
In my own family, we have had children who are early readers and ones who have been late readers. Had the “grade level” rule been in place when our late readers were in third grade, they likely would not have achieved that. Yet all of these children have gown up and graduated from college with honors!
I want to elect school board members who are realistic about the multitude of variables in the learning process, who are open minded about how educational issues should be approached. I also want a school board that reflects the racial and ethnic backgrounds of the students served in the district. That’s why I am voting for Kathy White and Uby Creek.
Former Project Manager for Individualized Bilingual Education
Former Curriculum and Teacher Training Consultant, ESD 123
Former teacher of Home and Family Life, Pasco High School
