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Success Story: Komachin Middle School, Lacey, WA

Komachin Middle School's Kelly Presnell applauds the AutoSkill Academy of READING software program. The program is helping hundreds of Komachin students improve their reading ability and they are proud of the results.

"I can read a lot faster."

"It's easier to read directions, and I can sound out words better."

Those are words spoken by two grade eight students at Komachin Middle School in South Sound, Washington. Both have used the Academy of READING software program-and both recognize the impact it has had on their ability to read. One of the students is now reading at a B-plus level; last year, he earned an F.

Dramatic reading improvement sometimes by two-and-half grade levels, is one reason why Komachin Middle School embraces the Academy of READING. As Komachin principal Troy Oliver points out, the program is not only motivational, but also educational. "AutoSkill is not a computer company," he says. "The reading experts there know what they're doing."

Troy Oliver, Kelly Presnell and other educators at Komachin first began to seek out a reading intervention program when the Washington Standards of Learning and the North Thurston district tests revealed that many Komachin students were reading below the 35th percentile. Educators examined several different programs, but with its scalability, adaptability and basis in neurological research, the Academy of READING was a clear choice.

Participation in the Komachin program is dictated by two factors: reading test scores and parental or teacher recommendation. Newly enrolled students undergo a diagnostic test to assess specific needs and are assigned a suitably customized program. Then, in classes of 15 for 12 weeks at a time, the students spend approximately 20 to 25 minutes per language class on the computer.

The students work hard to overcome their reading difficulties and Kelly Presnell rewards their efforts with plenty of positive reinforcement. Clearly, the efforts are well worth the final results. "The best part," says Presnell, "is when kids come back to me after they finish the program and say what a difference it made."