Lagging Test Scores Prompt Reading Class

In response to recent test results at Newport Harbor High School, a reading class will be required for all freshmen.

The reading skills of half the freshmen at the high school are below their grade level, according to the test scores.

One-third of the students’ reading skills are not even up to the seventh-grade level.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Trustee Dana Black said the scores were surprising to everyone. She added that the test did not separate out special education students or students whose native language is not English.

Trustee Serene R. Stokes blamed eight years of using the “whole language” approach to reading for the low results.

“This was the first set of students who had nothing but whole language in school,” she said.

“It’s not their fault and it’s not the fault of the teachers. It was just an unfortunate time in education.”

No one at the meeting spoke in favor of the state-mandated teaching method, which is still in place in the district.