VUSD's reading program works

By: Heather Williams - Commentary:
Reprinted courtesy of the North County Times

There is a growing controversy in the Vista Unified School District about the Lindamood Bell Reading and Thinking program, and I want to say a few words as a teacher in the second year of teaching this program.

Let me begin by introducing you to four of my 12 students this year. Hershey, Ellen, Alice and Andrea (their names have been changed) are 9th-grade girls who read at a 3rd-grade level. Classes began Sept. 24. It has taken two full months to stabilize their vowels in one-syllable words and, now that we have achieved this, the girls are moving onto multisyllable words. These girls are engaged, focused and attend every class.

Intensive reading improvement programs are rigorous, repetitive and intensive. Many teachers may not be cut out for this because, on the surface, it is not very creative. To me, the creativity is beneath the surface, in the little, vitally important, "Ahas!" that my students experience as they begin to see and mentally incorporate the patterns of the English language. The Lindamood Bell Program has three excellent qualities: 1. It is data-based instruction where progress is based on student mastery. 2. Collaboration and consultation is built into the program. 3. It includes inclusive grouping of both general and special education students.

To those who complain about the expense I say: "This is working. Let's find a way to keep it." To those who complain about being forced to teach it, I say: "Let's not force a teacher to teach the Lindamood Bell program. Let's find people willing to work with small groups intensely." To those who complain that other areas of education are neglected because we don't have enough funds, I say: "Let's find a way to fund those areas, but not by curtailing the Lindamood Bell program."

For two years I taught a special education class in reading at Vista High School using several district approved reading programs, plus a variety of exercises gleaned from store-bought reading books, other teachers, etc.

It may feel creative to pick and choose from a variety of programs. However, for me, it didn't work well. A hodgepodge of programs cannot meet the needs of students who are reading below grade level. The district needs to produce high-quality students and to address this need you need a high-quality, proven, rigorous, repetitive and intensive program like the Lindamood Bell Reading Program.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support my students with this program. I look forward to teaching the Lindamood Bell Program for several more years. It's deeply fulfilling to be a positive support to these young people.

-- Heather Williams is a teacher at an alternative school for 9th grade students in the Vista Unified School District.