South Carolina's Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary School Is Awarded State's Top Honor for Its Exemplary Reading Program and Will Be Recognized at the International Reading Association (IRA) Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on April 25th

CHESNEE, S.C., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary of the Spartanburg County School District 2 has won the 2010 Exemplary Reading Program Award for the state of South Carolina, awarded by the International Reading Association and the South Carolina Reading Association.  Only one school per state receives the prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding reading and language arts programs across the United States.  

The school's secret?  Principal Nicha Jordan credits teacher training and a balanced literacy approach.  "We believe the aspects of our reading workshops are non-negotiable and we include read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and one-on-one conferencing and formative assessment," explains Ms. Jordan.  "Our emphasis on teacher training has strengthened and expanded our classroom instruction to reflect a diverse set of instructional groups, including small groups, literature circles, novel studies, whole group, readers' theatre, and one-on-one interventions."

As part of the balanced literacy program, the school uses American Reading Company's 100 Book Challenge as the structured independent reading system for use at school and at home, requiring daily parent involvement to monitor reading practice.  According to Dr. Quincie Moore, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Spartanburg County School District 2, "American Reading Company's approach to professional development has helped lay the foundation for expert literacy instruction in all of our schools district-wide.  We are committed to teacher training and making sure that every teacher has the skills and tools needed to ensure success for every student."

According to Jane Hileman, Founder and CEO of American Reading Company, "Principal Jordan is a tremendously gifted principal.  I am proud of her many successes and congratulate her on this prestigious award, along with the students, parents, teachers, and the Spartanburg 2 district leadership who have all contributed to this outstanding reading program."

Carlisle-Foster's Grove will be recognized nationally during the 55th Annual Convention of the International Reading Association in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday April 25th.  Both Ms. Jordan and Mrs. Teresa Burnett, the school literacy coach, will travel to Chicago to attend the awards ceremony.

About American Reading Company

American Reading Company transforms school cultures to create sustainable reading achievement through training, management, and monitoring. The company was founded in 1998 and is now based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Today, more than a million students in 2,100 schools across 420 districts in 41 states participate in the company's programs, which include Action 100, 100 Book Challenge, Research Labs, and Summer School Express. For more information, please visit www.americanreading.com.

SOURCE American Reading Company

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