Reading Intervention

Many students that are considered “good” readers will sometimes stumble when they come upon a word that is multisyllabic or is unknown.  Many have survived by either guessing at the word or have been instructed in the Whole-word Approach. This happens because there is a deficiency in phonological awareness (a proficiency in word, syllable and phonemic awareness) or in phonemic awareness (recognizing sounds in their initial, medial and final positions; segmenting and manipulating sounds). Reading accuracy involves decoding words and takes careful and intentional instruction. Many classrooms are not equipped to provide this type of intense instruction, much to the disadvantage of many students.

Avondale Adventist School is committed to ensuring that each of its students is reading at their grade level.  If a student is identified as having a challenge with reading fluency, the resident Title 1 reading tutor, Lydia Rose, is asked to test the student to verify the challenge.  They are given the WIST (Wilson Identification Spelling Test). Once test results are reviewed, the student is then scheduled to receive multisensory instruction in one of the three reading fluency programs Mrs. Rose is trained and certified in – Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, and Just Words®.  These programs are research-based and serve to help students become fluent and independent readers.

At the end of their time in the program, the expectation is that the student will be proficient in the “Big Five” essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Avondale is unique in that it is the only Adventist school in the Greater Chattanooga area that invests in teaching Wilson® full-time.