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From: Schulenburg Elementary School, Schulenburg, Texas
Date: May 23, 2007

Schulenburg Elementary Is Putting Texas On The Map

Known as the “Gateway to the Rolling Hills”, Schulenburg, Texas is a friendly community and the perfect stopping point between Houston and San Antonio. Now the city can boast of the quality of its reading instruction at the elementary school.

Since implementing the world’s foremost method of teaching reading last fall students have shown impressive gains. A kindergarten class averaged grade 1.6 on the May assessment. That’s two thirds of the way through first grade! Everyone is amazed. Especially the school’s principal. “As an adult I’ve learned so much from this phonics based approach. I always thought there were so many exceptions to phonics rules. Now I realize that is not true.” stated Ms. Martha Skelton.

According to Academic Associates, the developer of the phonics based reading program, 94% of English words are unlocked using phonetic tools. When you give a child a word using a flash card you only give him one word. When children are presented with a phonics tool the children can use this rule in thousands of words!

Deborah Friedrich, the reading teacher, sees over 130 students several times a week. She incorporated the program with her “at risk” students two years ago. When the principal, Ms. Skelton, saw the improvement she said, “We’ve got to train our teachers.”

The results have impressed districts diagnostician Anita Jones. “I’m amazed at how the students can just sound out the words.” Anita sees many children that have difficulty in the classroom. To her, the Academic Associates Phonics Program is the key for them to become good readers.

A parent described this program as wonderful. “When we read at night they sound out the words. They are able to tell me the rules. Like how the magic E is making another vowel say its name. It is just thrilling to listen to them read.”

The training has taught the staff a lot. Most teachers across the country don’t know many of the phonics rules for English. At Schulenburg Elementary that has changed forever. “We’re never going back to our previous phonics program.” You’ll hear that from the principal to the pre-kindergarten teachers. Dr. Dale Pitts, the superintendent, notes that Schulenburg elementary is known as an outstanding school throughout Texas. Now with this excellent approach to reading the school’s credibility has raised its bar of excellence even higher.

The best part, according to Ms. Friedrich, is that all the children have the opportunity to become good readers.

So if you are traveling along interstate 10 and you need a break, don’t just stop at the Kountry Bakery. Pop on over and talk with the assistant principal, Doris Brocker, at the elementary school. She’ll be more than pleased to discuss how they are effectively teaching children to read.

Richard Rayl MA, Director of Training, Academic Associates Learning Centers. You can contact Richard by email academic@kcnet.com or call 800-8619196.