Avid reader wins confidence, kudos
Program credited for helping teen turn life around
It wasn't too long ago that Burina Vann hated school. The Lawrence seventh-grader hated homework, hated sitting in the classroom, hated listening to teachers drone on and on.
And don't even get her started on reading.
"I got into a lot of trouble. I faked being sick so I wouldn't have be here," Burina admitted. "I just didn't want to hold a book or anything."
That was four months ago.
Today, this 13-year-old daughter of Cambodian immigrants is devouring books almost daily. With the help of a new, intensive reading program, Vann has moved up three grade levels in just a few weeks. She is swallowing up novels and nonfiction tales, participating in class, and regularly making the honor roll.
Just last month, she won a national reading award from the children's publishing company Scholastics, which developed the program.
Chris Ienello, her reading teacher at South Lawrence East Middle School, credits Vann's turnaround to the Scholastic READ 180 program, which the school has offered for four years.
It's a reading intervention program for students who are reading at least two years below proficient level. Students receive rigorous and individualized reading instruction for 90 minutes a day with the help of technology, teacher-directed instruction in large and small groups, and reading materials that reflect students' interests and age.
Because Vann was so far behind in her reading level, Ienello said she was a perfect candidate for the program. "I was told by her sixth-grade teachers that I might not want to have her in this program because of the issues she had last year," said Ienello. "I said, 'Let's give her a shot.' "
The first few weeks, Ienello said, it was hard to know that Vann was even in his class. She rarely said anything and sat in silence the whole time.
Then slowly, as Vann gained confidence in her reading, Ienello noticed her starting to ask questions. He noticed her perking up with other students. She began reading more books and going to the computer more for lessons. Then, she started really talking.
"Now you can't pay her to shut up," the 51-year-old teacher joked.
But Ienello also observed something else. Not only was Vann moving up in her reading level, she was also doing well in her other classes. So well that other students began trying to follow her path.
All of the 15 students enrolled in the program have raised their reading levels by at least one grade, Ienello said, though none as much as Vann.
After spending time in a teacher's online chat room, Ienello came across the READ 180 All-Star Award aimed at students making vast improvements in the program. He nominated Vann, and Scholastics notified the school last month that she won. When told, Vann shouted and jumped up and down in the hallway.
Scholastics created the award to honor adolescents nationwide who have learned to read despite formidable odds and have turned their lives around. Students must be nominated by a teacher.
Ernie Fleishman, senior vice president of education and corporate relations, said the award is intended to highlight improvements. "It shows changes in motivation and their performance as students."
Fleishman said the READ 180 program was launched about a decade ago and now is used in around 13,000 classrooms across the country.
Dina M. Hickey, South Lawrence East Middle School's principal, said she was thrilled when she found out Vann won the award. "I know that her teacher considers her a leader," said Hickey. "Her parents want her to be a doctor now."
Hickey said the computer component of the program really aided Burina, especially in improving her grammar. That's because it allowed Vann to work quietly at her own pace.
For Vann, whose first language is Khmer, English grammar had always been a struggle. She needed tutors throughout elementary school, she said.
But now she helps other students who may have questions on grammar.
Still, Vann said, she is surprised she likes reading so much compared with last year. "I read at home now. I'm not afraid."
Russell Contreras can be reached at rcontreras@globe.com. 