Reading First hailed as success in New York school

Deborah Kasson is a coach whose pep talks take place in the classroom, not the locker room. Instead of giving athletes tips on how to win games, she gives teachers advice on how to teach young children the skill of reading as she works as a reading coach at Charles F. Johnson Jr. Elementary School in the Union-Endicott Central School District in Greater Binghamton, New York.

Kasson is part of Reading First, a $6 billion federal initiative that focuses on improving reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade. Teacher response to the program at first was mixed, said Susan Hendery, Reading First coordinator for Binghamton. While some embraced the initiative, “it was a difficult year,” she said. Some teachers voiced concerns that Reading First reduced their flexibility in the classroom.

At the same time, Reading First has strong support. The professional development has been outstanding, said Jessica Bowerman, a special education teacher in second and third grades at Charles F. Johnson. “Sure, it was extra work and challenging, but everybody’s benefiting,” she said. Read more in The Press & Sun-Bulletin online.