Wakefield-Marenisco Earns High Scores

The Wakefield School Board met in a regularly scheduled meeting last night. What turned out to be the topic du jour was the proposed hiring of a a part time reading coach. The positions considered part time due to the fact that the coach would be shared with another school district.

Apparently since the last board meeting the curriculum committee met to hear the presentation of the program by GOISD employee, Jean Massie. Ms. Massie gave the presentation last week to the full Wakefield Board and also to the Ironwood Board. After seeing the presentation the curriculum committee split 5-5 on approving the literacy program.

The Wakefield board heard from members of the audience who questioned the program from every direction possible. One teacher noted that the students in the third grade had just scored a 95% proficiency on the reading portion of the Michigan MEAP Test. Another teacher stated that the program is certainly needed in grades 4-6 but, not in K-3. She felt that students in K-3 already have significant support for reading studies as the MEAP results had confirmed

Ms. Massie pointed out that the program goes beyond just reading skills. It is an inclusive communication skills program which includes speech and writing.. You can read more on this program by clicking here. After a great deal of deliberation and exchanging of ideas the board voted unanimously to approve the program subject to conditions.