Reading ratings rising at BES

Using words such as “phenomenal” and “awesome,” Bellmont Elementary School principal Aaron Baker reported on programs that are improving “the meaning of reading” for the littlest students in the North Adams school system.

His report to the NA board’s October meeting noted, for example, that reading among first graders from the 2021-22 school year to the 2022-23 school year have gotten markedly better:

–Last year, there were 35 students in the “red” category, meaning the bottom of the scale, but that declined to just 13 this year.

–Last year, there were 27 students in the “green” category, meaning the top of the scale, and this year, that’s risen to 33.

Baker told the school board that he’s “super-happy” with the results, which so far indicate a 15% improvement over the previous year.

He pointed out that kindergarten through third grade reading is based on phonics, with the third graders reinforcing the reading skills they picked up in first and second grades.

There is also a summer reading program for special education students.

Baker said student assessments are performed three times each school year for grades one through five and twice a year for kindergartners.

Those assessments show that “the things we’re doing are working. We’re going in a good direction right now.”

The principal commented that reading comprehension is a key part of teaching, as is learning the proper way to pronounce words. Teachers lead guided reading lessons each day.

He also spoke well of the teaching staff, as individuals and as a group working together to improve each other. The instructors, he said, “are busting their butts every single day in the classrooms.”

Baker says BES has 637 students this year from kindergarten through fifth grade.