Reading program finds learning gaps

Times staff report

A new elementary-age reading program is working well for Carbon County School District 2.

At a meeting earlier this week, the District 2 School Board heard a report from Mark Shipps, a first-grade teacher in the district. Shipps is the faculty coordinator for the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills test, which began a few years ago. In 2008, the program was fully implemented.

“I really think it’s successful,” Shipps said. “It’s really making a difference in how we teach our students.”

The test identifies students who are likely to struggle with reading proficiency. It also helps teachers target solutions for those kids.

The program revealed significant learning gaps for some students, according to District 2 Superintendent Bob Gates. The challenge of the program is to collect the right data and understand the results.

“It is working,” Shipps said, “but we need to continue to refine it.”

At the meeting, board members also:

• Agreed to outsource the annual floor refinishing project for district schools to save time and money. Under a contractor, the refinish process should take two days and cost less than $10,000. Previously, local labor cost nearly $15,000 for four weeks of work.

• Reviewed driver guidelines to ensure student safety during extended school outings. The guidelines outline what to do in the case of bad weather and driver relief.

• Awarded asbestos removal contracts amounting to $120,000 to Casper’s Enviro Engineering and Safetech, Inc., in Billings, Mont., for Elk Mountain Elementary School and Medicine Bow Elementary School, respectively. The Medicine Bow contract hinges on School Facilities Commission funding. The Elk Mountain asbestos removal should begin once classes finish, while Medicine Bow’s should begin as soon as funding is secured. Demolition bids should be opened and awarded by the end of the week.

• Saw a presentation from construction consultant Joe Jones displaying plans for the new Elk Mountain school. The project is about 70 percent complete. An open meeting with the architect and district officials is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Elk Mountain school to firm up details, including technology.