Reading Road Trip

S4 E8: Reading Interventions for Older Students with the NNDSB Team

Aug 18, 2025
Lisa Rogers, a school-based literacy facilitator, Courtney Berger, a secondary teacher, and Kristen Roy, a special education educator, discuss their transformative work with structured literacy interventions for older students. They share how data-driven strategies led to measurable improvements in reading skills and student confidence. The conversation highlights their innovative use of the REWARDS program, effective progress monitoring tools, and the importance of creating supportive classroom environments that empower struggling readers. Personal success stories illustrate the profound impact of targeted literacy support.
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INSIGHT

Data-Driven Decision To Start REWARDS

  • Near North used universal screening data to identify reading gaps entering grade nine and targeted interventions accordingly.
  • Leadership funded REWARDS and shifted course sections to create focused literacy opportunities.
ADVICE

Select Students With Screening Plus Diagnostics

  • Combine screening data with diagnostics and teacher input to select students for intervention.
  • Follow up with program-specific pretests to confirm placements for targeted support.
ADVICE

Fit Intervention Into Timetables

  • Schedule interventions within existing timetables by replacing non-core electives where possible.
  • Group students by need and remain flexible to respect student preferences and schedules.
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