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Reading coach says schoolwide literacy efforts produced large participation gains
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Summary
Bonnie Warren, the school’s reading coach, told the board that a Beanstack fundraiser, sight‑word lists and fluency binders coincided with a rise in recorded reading minutes and that 193 students could read grade‑level sight words or a passage by April.
Bonnie Warren, the reading coach who identified herself at the meeting, told the Levy County School Board that a suite of low‑burden literacy interventions produced substantial growth in student participation and measured fluency. "No excuse not to have a book," Warren said as she described a schoolwide Book Blast fundraiser and a Beanstack incentive program that distributed books to every student.
Warren said the school logged roughly 79,491 minutes last year with about 13% participation; after adding incentives and volunteer support this year she reported about 458,986 minutes logged and roughly 65% participation. "We went in October, we went from 19 to 51 students that could read their sight words," Warren said, describing monthly progress and noting that by April, including second grade, 193 students “know their grade level sight words and can read a grade level passage to me.”
The presentation highlighted three main changes: a one‑day Book Blast distribution that ensured each child received at least one book; use of Beanstack for recording minutes and teacher library tracking; and a system of sight‑word lists and one‑minute fluency checks supported by volunteers and older‑student readers. Warren said volunteers from the high school and community helped run short, frequent checks so teachers were not asked to add new duties.
Superintendent (identified in the meeting as the superintendent) and several trustees praised the results and the volunteer model. Trustees asked about sustainment and whether the gains would be replicated across more classrooms. Warren said she visits classrooms monthly, listens to one‑minute readings and offers a small reward when students meet accuracy goals; she said the program emphasizes supporting, not adding to, classroom teachers’ workloads.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation. The superintendent said district staff are watching literacy efforts across schools and will continue visits and support where programs show measurable gains.
