Email to Parents: I want to help convince student to do Academic Reading

Thanks for your email.  As a parent of two high school kids, I understand what you’re saying about how Emily feels and about your role in helping explain it to her.  Here's the note that I send out to parents who inquire about the curriculum.

Academic Reading is a class that students take in addition to English 1.  Students work daily on reading and writing skills.  The teacher works both on academic skills (summary, paraphrase, vocabulary, main idea, answering academic questions from across the curriculum) and on student attitude and interest in reading (daily reading from self-selected books and regular teacher conferences).  A normal day would involve reading time, a writing focus, and core skills building.  We believe that writing and reading go hand-in-hand.  On Fridays, students begin the day with a logic-puzzle, which helps develop executive functioning skills, grit, persistence, and inferential skills.   

If students demonstrate enough growth by December, we move them out of the class and into another elective or a study hall.  

You asked about benchmarks for “graduating out.”  Basically, Emily would need to score close to grade level on the MAP reading test in December.  The teacher also looks at a couple other in-class writing and reading skills tests.   Students see enormous growth on all of those tests typically.  The most normal time for the change is in January.  

Additionally, students benefit from any class with the English teacher who has been teaching Academic Reading – she is one of the most accomplished and loved teachers in the school.  I’m sure she (the teacher, Angelique Burrell) would be glad to speak to you further if you have more questions.  Don't hesitate in calling me if you have any additional questions.