Reading tuition pays off

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 2

Reading tuition pays off

About 600 Canterbury primary schoolchildren were helped by the Reading Recovery programme last year. Reading Recovery gives a child intensive one-to-one tuition from a specially trained teacher, usually for between six and 12 weeks. The programme is targeted at six-year-olds, and was developed by an Auckland University lecturer, Dame Marie Clay. Last year, of 3370 Canterbury six-year-olds, 619 children took part. Of those, 385 children, or about 62 per cent, had

graduated from the programme by the end of the year. These children had returned to their classes, where they were now working about the average level; said the district senior inspector of primary schools, Mr Barry Nelson. Research indicated that the children would maintain their gains, Mr Nelson told the Canterbury Education Board yesterday. . ; About 181 children, t or 30 per cent, would continue with the programme. Twenty-six children did

not respond to Reading Recovery and would need additional special assistance, Mr Nelson said. The Reading Recovery programme had helped many children, and showed that they could succeed, Mr Nelson said. Many children whose reading had .been regarded: as borderline had Responded to the programme.

■j Reading; Recovery: has hot been Into all schools because insufficient teachers are available. , .