Revere students get extra help with reading

REVERE -- Some elementary school students not reading at the appropriate levels may have to delay summer vacation trips to grandma's house or to camp in exchange for 20 extra school days.

The Revere School Committee unanimously approved a plan that would require extending the school year for first-, second-, and third-graders who are reading below standards. The program extends this school year to a total of 200 days for students who are reading below their grade level.

Revere Superintendent Paul Dakin said the School Committee took a ''bold move" in supporting his idea, which he based on studies indicating that 90 percent of students who spend their school years reading below grade level are more likely to drop out of school.

''We know that elementary, junior high, and high school kids not reading at the right level in grade 3 stand at a huge disadvantage," Dakin said. ''Our goal is to try to make a seamless approach for kids to reach reading levels."

With less than three months left of school and the details of the plan not finalized, Dakin said this year's program may just focus on third-graders who are not meeting their reading requirements. This year's third-graders will take the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test, which measures a student's and the district's progress, for the first time next year.

''We don't think it's fair for the requirement to go into place full force this coming year, this summer," Dakin said. ''We are looking at potentially requiring the third-graders so we don't lose them this year, so they can meet the requirements before they go to grade 4."

Because the School Committee decision was only made March 15, Dakin said he did not yet know how many students would be affected, so word has not reached all parents. He said he has refrained from sending notices because the details have yet to be finalized.

Adrienne Sacco-Maguire, a Revere parent and vice president of the Whelan School Parent Teacher Association, said that while it may catch some parents off guard, she supports the idea.

''Sometimes you need to give parents a little while to get used to the idea, but I think it's a great idea," said Sacco-Maguire, who is also a member of the citywide PTA. ''It's not costing the parents anything, and the children will get the help they need."

School Committee member Carol Tye said she has not had much input from parents because word really has not gotten out yet, but she said school administrators will try to implement the program in phases so as not to overwhelm parents. ''We'll be making it a mandatory one, with maybe a case by case as people want to opt out of it because they have already made plans for their children, because some are going to various summer camps or doing something else. That's something we might consider," Tye said.

Dakin expects to finalize details for the plan by April 12, the day before the next School Committee meeting. Possible start dates for the program could be June 28, 29, 30, or July 1, Dakin said. Currently, the last day of school for the district is scheduled for June 27. Out of the eight-week summer vacation, students in the program will be in school for the first four weeks. Dakin said that at the end of the four weeks, parents will be given a packet so they may reinforce the reading process.

''It will be three to five students per teacher. We're seeing it as an ungraded system, matching students not by grade, but by skill need," Dakin said. ''The days will be planned in such a way that the focus will be reading and writing, but it's not all work, with some fresh-air programs and time to feed them something."

Though Revere has held districtwide volunteer summer and Saturday academic support programs, this is the first time school officials have moved toward a mandatory program, Dakin said.

''It's a bold move that the School Committee has embraced in that it is a policy. It's going to stretch what is needed for kids in urban places. They don't come as readied as suburban students, where they may have two parents who are college educated," Dakin said. ''With the transients we have in Revere, kids who are in and out of the school system, and more poverty in the district, those are all inhibitive for the students."

Since the MCAS test was required for graduation in 2003, Dakin said Revere's dropout rates have increased from 3 to 8 percent. But those figures could also include students from foreign countries who enroll in school but just as quickly move away, Dakin said.

The extended year session will be paid from the School Department's general budget, but Dakin said it is an expense he hopes reduces other expenses in the future. ''Years down the road I hope it saves money in referral rates for special education and per pupil costs," Dakin said. ''We're trying to have parents realize that this is probably the best we can do for their kids."

Katheleen Conti can be reached at kconti@globe.com