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Reading program at WVC elementary school showing positive results

Posted at 10:14 PM, Jan 31, 2012
and last updated 2012-02-01 19:15:55-05

For the students at Jackling Elementary School in West Valley City, reading has become their passion.

The Road to Success program has prompted more students to read by giving them big incentives. The more students read, the better chance they have of winning a bicycle. And according to the principal, it is working.

“The scores changed dramatically. We saw a significant increase in our scores, particularly in our language arts, which is what we wanted,” says principal Kayla Mackay.

The students get access to the candy jar if they have read at least 20 minutes a day, every day for a week. And they get a ticket to a drawing for one of two brand new bicycles.

Jackling Elementary School had dismal reading and math scores two years ago. But since the students began the program,  third and fourth grader language arts scores raised six percent. The improvement in their reading also crossed over into math. Scores in mathematics for third graders improved 19 percent while sixth graders had a whopping 30 percent improvement.

“It gets the kids really excited about reading, it motivated them,” says mother Jillene Cox. “I think reading is so essential, it helps their brains grow.”

One ticket may lead to a new bicycle, but for many a daily habit is being formed — one they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.