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Wolf Creek Local School District knew it had a problem to address, and found what so far has been a pathway to success. During Monday's board of education meeting the district got to celebrate that success a bit with a look back at what the Literacy Committee and the school's early literacy program have accomplished.
"The last two years have been the best two years," said Brad Lanier, principal of Waterford Elementary School. "This past year ... this was our best year at Waterford Elementary and we'd like to thank the board for investing in our staff and some of the different supports we have."
Literacy Design Collaborative Intervention Coordinator Dr. Audra Langerman, Title I Coordinator Joan Smith and District Literacy Coach Teresa Stoops all got some of the credit for increased literacy rates and improved literacy scores at the elementary level.
"We have become very data-driven," said Stoops. "We always were looking at [the scores] to see which students needed decoding? Do they need vocabulary? Do they need fluency? Then we're able to group those students."
Committee member Shawna Landaker talked about the program's successes, but also why it is so desperately needed. She is a criminal defense attorney.
"I can tell you that 75% of our prison population can't read," she said. "So when I'm trying to help people I'm on the tail end of that and it really becomes clear that if you want to make a change in your community, you start in the school."
It appears as though those tackling the problem in Waterford are off to a great start. No doubt they will continue that work, as well as looking for new ways to give local students the support they need.