Community Reading Project

(A joint project between the Bakersfield Californian and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools)

Contact Person: Ms. Teresa Twisselman, Coordinator
Address: 1300 – 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 636-4645
FAX: (661) 636-4135
Email Address: tetwisselman@kern.org
Web Site: http://www.kern.org

Description of Organization:
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability staff provides support services in all areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to Kern County’s 47 school districts. Many of the support services offered are focused on assisting schools with their continuous improvement efforts. Department staff provide guidance in the planning, implementation and evaluation phases of instructional and assessment programs. In addition, curriculum, instruction, and accountability staff provide professional development for Kern County administrative and instructional personnel, including training in the use of technology in the classroom to achieve information literacy. Department staff act as liaisons between the state and national departments of education, keeping districts informed on matters of subject matter content, statewide assessments, and federal and state categorical programs. Academic competitions that involve approximately 30,000 Kern County student participants annually are organized and facilitated by the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability staff.

Community Reading Project is sponsored by the Bakersfield Californian and administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. It has trained and placed approximately 1,200 volunteers in approximately 30 Bakersfield area schools, since 1999. Volunteers receive training in guided reading techniques and spend one hour each week helping students practice reading. Volunteers are assigned in teams of five so that the students receive assistance every day. Teachers have reported positive results both in reading achievement and student self-esteem.

Literacy Programs:

  • Community Reading Project

Program Specifics:

  • Target population: Children ages 6-9 (second grade)
  • Target Communities: Select school sites throughout Greater Bakersfield

How Results are Measured:

  • Schools submit pre & post semester scores
  • Scores are evaluated for overall average growth for the semester and percetn of students reaching grade level.

Estimated numbers served:

  • 140-180 students each semester

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