The National Center for Education Statistics tracks a variety of educational data, including how fourth graders compare by state in terms of reading. In comparison to the national public school average, children from 21 states scored higher in 2011 while fourth graders from 14 states fell behind. Let’s take a look at the states that excelled before looking at those that did not and how guided reading can improve their scores.

 

Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas all have a higher average score than the national public school average, according to the NCES. Moving east, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland also beat the national average.

 

The schools that have a lower average score than the national public school average, according to the NCES, are California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia.

 

Many factors contribute to such an achievement gap, but all teachers have the ability to improve student scores with the concept of guided reading, or leveled reading. This type of reading approach uses small-group instruction and developmentally appropriate books, or leveled books, to improve reading skills. Books are selected in accordance with standardized criteria for each level. A wide range of reading levels can exist within any grade level, and this approach recognizes that reading at the appropriate level leads to success.

 

Guided reading sessions gather together children at the same reading level for a 15- to 25-minute reading session. During the session, a book is introduced before each child is given his or her own copy. The teacher guides each child as needed, and then the children discuss the book as a group. Finally, the child takes home the book to read repeatedly. Parents can take over for the teacher and help guide children at home.

 

Developmentally appropriate titles also are available as online books for kids. Accessed through online libraries, these books allow kids to listen for fluency, read for practice and check their comprehension with quizzes. They can even record themselves reading with certain online library systems. Book titles range from “Dogs at Work” and “My Family” to “Speedier Than a Meteor” and “The Zoo.” Teachers easily can incorporate access to an online library into their classroom workflow.

 

Both guided reading and online books for kids can help teachers to improve the reading scores of their students right away. Reading at or above grade level helps a child succeed not only in reading classes but in all others as well. Simply put: Reading is the foundation for the best possible education.

 

About the Author: Penny Tate teaches fourth-grade reading at a public school in Arizona. She recently discovered the guided reading website ReadingA-Z.com and the online books for kids website Raz-Kids.com. She has incorporated both into her curriculum and has already seen increased interest and enthusiasm for reading in her classroom.