Kingsford Heights champion readers.
Crichfield champion readers.
Story and photos provided by teacher Erin Parker
Crichfield and Kingsford Heights elementary schools achieved a 100% pass rate on the state-mandated IREAD-3 exam.
According the Indiana Department of Education, the purpose of the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment is “to measure foundational reading standards through grade 3 to ensure that all students can read proficiently before moving on to grade 4.” All Indiana public schools take this assessment.
Teachers and students at Crichfield and Kingsford Heights worked hard to improve literacy within the classrooms. From group work to individualized lessons, each kid was pushed academically.
“We (teachers) studied the IREAD blueprint so that we had a focus to our instruction,” said Wendy Hiemstra, 3rd grade teacher at Kingsford Heights. “We delivered many engaging mini lessons based on this blueprint, some being team taught and/or worked into our literacy group time, and utilized a variety of different tools and methods. We provided parents with monthly packets to aid them in helping their child prepare as well.”
The excitement was palpable in the schools after the results of the assessment were announced. Months of hard work proved successful for the Cougars and Tigers.
“We were thrilled when we found out 100% passed IREAD,” Crichfield 3rd grade teacher Sharon Nash said. “We were so happy for the students because they worked so hard to accomplish this goal.”
This achievement is one of many for Crichfield, already named an Indiana Four Star School, but for Kingsford Heights, the 100% pass rate is the first in recent years. Marcia Alexander, Kingsford Heights’ principal for 11 years, had a heightened sense of pride walking through the halls of her energetic school.
“The staff and students at Kingsford Heights School work hard every day to be successful learners. Having 100% of our 3rd graders pass the IREAD-3 test demonstrates the commitment to learning shown by our students, parents and staff members. We will continue our efforts and strive to make this an annual event. I am blessed to be a part of such a warm, welcoming school. I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else,” Alexander said.
Donna D’Elia, 5th-year principal at Crichfield, echoed the sentiments. She and her staff have set a high bar of expectations and students clearly have no plans of lowering them.
“Achieving 100% Pass on IREAD is a celebration of student success. This includes all of the hard work that the students, their parents and teachers put forth to ensure that every student is achieving their personal best. We are proud of each and every Cougar!” D’Elia said.
3rd grade teachers at Crichfield are Katie Talbert, Sharon Nash, Jennifer Shelton and Kay Younggreen. 3rd grade teachers at Kingsford Heights are Wendy Hiemstra, Nathan Marcum and Chris Frank.