Reading Tutor Program

Your child has been selected to participate in the Reading Tutor Program! This program provides a period of intensive, direct instruction to selected students who need support in the area of literacy beyond classroom instruction. It is available to students in Grades 6–8.

PROGRAM SESSIONS

Your child will receive five months of direct reading instruction during the school day. They will be seen individually at least four times in a six-day cycle for a minimum of 30 minutes each session.

At the beginning of the five-month period, the reading clinician will evaluate your child’s literacy learning needs. Then, they will develop an appropriate intervention plan in consultation with the school team, which will be delivered by reading tutors and supported by the classroom teacher.

Throughout this period, the reading clinician will monitor and evaluate your child’s progress. They will direct the tutors to adapt strategies, materials, and techniques used in sessions with your child, as needed.

FOLLOWUP TO SESSIONS

Upon the completion of five months of individual instruction, the reading clinician will complete a written report, including your child’s assessment results, gains made, and further recommendations. 

Resource and classroom teachers will meet with the reading clinician to review the Reading Tutor Program report. Your child’s school team will then develop a plan to implement recommendations outlined in the report. Information from the report and the followup plan are then shared with the parents/guardians.

FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS

Specific areas of need will be determined based on your child’s initial literacy evaluation. Your child may be working to improve their skills and abilities in:

1. Phonological Awareness: The ability to perceive and manipulate speech sounds.
2. Sight Word Recognition: The instant recognition of words frequently seen in texts.
3. Word Study: The ability to use letter-sound associations and word-part knowledge during reading.
4. Reading Strategies & Comprehension: The ability to make use of strategies before and during reading to understand texts.
5. Writing in Response to Reading: The ability to discuss and write about texts that have been read.

ROLE OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN

To support your child during their time in the Reading Tutor Program:

• Read to your child.
• Listen to your child read to you.
• Talk about the story.
• Respond positively when your child reads.
• Respond positively when your child makes attempts to read difficult words.
• Respond positively when your child solves difficult words.
• Celebrate your child’s successes in reading!

For more information about the Reading Tutor Program, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.