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Success Story: Jefferson Davis High School, Houston, TX

When a third of its sixth-grade students failed a state reading test in 1995, Houston's Independent School District was swift to respond. It searched for a software based intervention program that would fit seamlessly into its balanced approach to reading. One product proved the clear choice: the Academy of READING software program from AutoSkill International Inc.

Located in the heart of Houston, Jefferson Davis High School is a typical inner-city educational facility. Its 1,800 students reflect the demographic makeup of the community: some 85 percent are of Hispanic origins; the remaining 15 percent are African-American.

"Approximately 40 percent of our students speak English as their first language," explains Houston ISD Technology and Reading Coordinator Warner Marsh. "In the rest of the homes, Spanish is the language of choice. That's a huge obstacle when it comes to basic reading skills."

In response to the poor results sixth graders achieved on State reading tests, the District implemented an ambitious reading program, one that focused on a balanced approach, emphasizing the fundamentals. The Academy of READING has become an important part of that program. A software based tool, it provides consistent, one-on-one instruction and allows students to learn at their own speed. Its phonemic awareness component is especially valuable to the Houston ISD.

"A large proportion of our Hispanic students have a tendency to miss the last syllable of a word," says Marsh "The Academy of READING manages to capture that tendency. It won't allow a student to pass on to the next level until he has a 96 percent success rate. The phonemic element in the Academy of READING software program is extremely important for us."

The Academy of READING also includes modules that train students in oral reading and comprehension. Students are tested online to determine their level of understanding and measure their progress. The program has helped students improve their reading levels consistently-advancing by up to 2.5 grades after as few as 25 hours of training.

The Academy of READING not only improves students' performance, it also inspires them. In the words of Warner Marsh, "Students want to learn on this program."