Indian Hill School Parents Critical of New Reading Program

Although literacy specialists say they are confident that the Reader's Workshop program will encourage students to become lifelong readers, some Indian Hill School parents aren't buying in.

More than 40 parents turned out to a presentation last night about the benefits of the new reading program that school officials believe will elevate student reading comprehension to a deeper, more meaningful level. But after a few months of listening to their frustrated children complain about what they describe as excessive note-taking and book discussion, some parents were anxious to vent their disapproval.

"I can tell you I have a daughter who was an avid reader. Advanced proficient on all her testing," said one mother during the Q & A. "And now, my daughter doesn't even like to read. It’s a burden. She doesn't like 'stop and jot.' She doesn't like 'turn and talk.' She doesn't like the questions that are asked of her when she reads. She finds it distracting. She finds reading to be a burden and boring. I mean, this is a ridiculous program." Her comment, also echoed by others, was met with vigorous applause by other parents.

There were other complaints about inconsistencies in the program and insufficient direction. One parent wanted to see research proving it actually works.

Sitting in the front row was Superintendent of Schools Barbara Duncan, Supervisor of Humanities Susan Alston, IHS Principal Tali Axelrod and Assistant Principal Michael Ferrarese. The program presenters were Reading Specialists Erin Fetter (Village School) and Lori Hawksby (IHS).

Reader's Workshop is a 25-year old literacy initiative used both around the world and by several NJ school districts like Holmdel's, such as Colts Neck, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver and Princeton. Its structured format is said to help children develop skills to make connections, ask critical questions, draw conclusions, analyze features and integrate words and ideas to gain new understanding.

The program has been in force at the Village School (grades K-3) for three years, and was formally introduced to Indian Hill School (grades 4-6) in September, after a pilot program with most fourth graders in 2010-2011.

Alston pointed out that the Village's Language Arts program met the state Dept. of Education's benchmarks for "Adequate Yearly Progress" in 2010-2011, which was based on the scores of the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge. But Indian Hill's did not. (See this Nov. 17 article on Holmdel Patch.)

Reader's Workshop guides children through understanding deeper and layered meanings and deciphering thematic complexities, which is something students need to improve, said Alston. "When you look at the records, when you look at our NJ Ask scores, it's that 'analytical piece' that isn't quite there," said Alston. "Reader's Workshop is really designed to give them the tools to get there."

As it has all along, the district would continue to tweak the program to best fit Holmdel, said Axelrod. More books would be delivered to the school on Jan. 13 to give kids more choices on their individual level, said Hawksby.

After questions and comments spilled past the scheduled hour, Axelrod announced the meeting must close. But the parents did not budge from their folding chairs, insisting they wanted to be heard. Duncan invited parents to contact their children's teachers or principal in the morning with any further concerns. 

The parents were slow to leave the school and lingered in group discussion in the parking lot. According to one, several parents plan to speak out against Reader's Workshop at the district's next Board of Education meeting.

For More On Reader's Workshop

For more information on Reader's Workshop, see links to resources on the school district's Humanities Dept. webpage.

Another presentation on the program will be offered to Village School parents on Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Read comments by parents on this Jan.9 Holmdel Patch article.