San Juan School District working on reading skills for K-3 students

by Paul Murdock
Assistant Superintendent
For years, San Juan School District has been working to improve reading outcomes for early-grade students in Kindergarten through third grade with success. 
If you are a parent of a child in one of those grades, you have heard your child’s teacher speak about their reading scores. 
This reading focus is founded in research.  The end of third grade is a critical point in a child’s education.  Experts agree that there is a major shift in the demands of learning students face as they get older.  Up through third grade, students are “learning to read,” and from fourth grade on, children must “read to learn.” 
A child who is not reading proficiently by the end of third grade will face steep challenges.  He or she is more likely to struggle keeping up with the rigorous demands of reading as well as science, social studies, and even math, as complex word problems become a focus. 
Studies have shown that students who fall behind in reading are up to four times more likely to drop out of high school. 
This is why our collective efforts, from parents to educators, must be focused on ensuring every child meets the benchmark of reading on grade level by the end of third grade. 
However, for those who do struggle, the San Juan School District has interventions in place to help students learn to read on grade level.  
No matter the age of your child, you as parents are essential in helping them to read proficiently.  The simplest and most effective things you can do in your home are to speak with and read with them. 
Make reading at home a priority.  This should start when your child is a toddler and continue throughout adolescence.  Your daily routine is powerful in supporting reading.
As your child enters school, please engage with the teacher and speak about your child’s reading progress.  By prioritizing reading in your home, you are doing more than teaching your child how to read; you are giving them the ultimate tool for a life of learning and opportunity.    
To support these vital home reading habits, the district is implementing evidence-based approaches to teaching students how to read.  These strategies are based in the science of reading, which is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes five key pillars:
Phonological Awareness: Identifying spoken sounds.
Phonics: Connecting sounds to letters.
Vocabulary: Building a bank of known words.
Fluency: Reading with speed and accuracy.
Comprehension: Truly understanding the text.
To meet these needs and foster the goal of developing proficient readers, the San Juan School District Board of Education has adopted the Connect4Learning preschool curriculum and Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum for grades K-6.  
Your child’s teacher and school are eager to partner with you in nurturing a lifelong love of literacy.
Education is truly a community journey, and by working together, we can ensure that every student in the San Juan School District feels confident and capable as they open their next book. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a high school research project, every word read is a step toward a brighter future.
Let’s keep reading.