Triumph Through Dedication: A 9th Grader's Journey in Literacy

In the field of education, progress is not solely about grades or test scores; it is about the journey of growth, perseverance, and overcoming challenges. One such inspiring story comes from a 9th grader who defied expectations with remarkable strides in literacy.

At the outset, the challenge seemed daunting: improving literacy skills from a grade equivalent score of 3 to 9. But undeterred, the student embarked on a journey of learning and growth that would leave a lasting impression.

In just 14 hours over 7 weeks, the student's dedication was evident. Starting with an assessment on January 12th, their percentile growth of 51 and score increase of 54 points by the posttest on March 12th spoke volumes about their effort.

Capti Assessment: Word Recognition and Decoding

Despite encountering distractions, the student persisted, recognizing that the initial posttest score of word recognition and decoding did not reflect their true abilities. With determination, the student requested to retake the subtest, aiming to showcase accurate growth.

When asked about the difference, the student attributed it to taking their time and maintaining focus—a testament to maturity and commitment.

According to the literacy specialist at Capti, the student's advancement in word recognition and decoding is noteworthy. Drawing from the data, the specialist underscores the necessity for continuous reinforcement in decoding techniques to bolster automaticity, in addition to the significance of nurturing fluency, starting with comprehension at the phrasal and sentence levels. The strides achieved are cause for celebration, and I look forward eagerly to observing further development.

Central to this journey was a focus on dictionary skills—pronunciation symbols, syllable types, and spelling. Through dedicated instruction, the student laid a solid foundation for success. Dictionary skills are vital for language growth as they provide a wealth of resources to expand vocabulary, enhance correct usage, and improve pronunciation. 

This story underscores the transformative impact of dictionary skills on language growth. It highlights the importance of incorporating these skills into literacy instruction to empower students and pave the way for future success. As we celebrate this student's triumph, we're reminded of the invaluable role dictionaries play in nurturing language proficiency and lifelong learning.

There are many stories of victory among these 17 students! They are all winners. 

Peace, 

Shawn Anthony Robinson PhD

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