FAST TRACK

Write Group / McGraw Hill Publishing

Goal of the Program:

The goal of  the Fast Track Reading program is to accelerate delayed readers to grade-level proficiency and California State Standards as quickly as possible by helping the teacher accurately assess student needs and then deliver informed, intensive, targeted instruction.

Grade Level(s): 4th  - 8th

Type of Program:  On CDE approved list to supplant core program; may be used as a core program for students reading more than two years below their grade level

Instructional Delivery Mode:  Whole class direct instruction, small group instruction, independent reading, independent writing, independent fluency practice

Technology Required:  Teacher computer and printer to print out MatchWord worksheets and CD player to play fluency CDs (a listening center would be optimal)

Reading Components Addressed:  Word Work (phonics), Comprehension, and Fluency

Recommended Instructional Minutes:  Two hours daily (CDE recommendation for reading intervention programs for 4-8).  The publisher provides schedules for 1 hour, 2 hour, and 2.5 hour daily blocks.

Student/Teacher Ratio: 1 kit comes with materials for a 6:1 ratio, however the publisher provides ideas and schedules for working with groups as large as 18

Overall Design: Three Strands which incorporate the following activities:

Word Work Strand

• Assessment of phonics and word study
• Direct phonics instruction
• Use of decodable books and plays
• Phonics worksheets for independent practice

Comprehension Strand

• Assessment for reading accuracy and comprehension
• Teacher read alouds
• Direct comprehension and writing instruction
• Independent reading with high-interest magazines
• Standardized test prep/comprehension assessments

Fluency Strand

• Guided practice, repeated readings, and independent reading
• Timed readings
• Modeled readings

Instructional Sequence of the Program: 2 hour block

            30 minutes            Comprehension w/ high interest student magazines

            20 minutes            Writing

            30 minutes            Phonics; Word Study

            20 minutes            Fluency practice; Independent Reading

            20 minutes            Listening and Speaking/Informal Assessment

Assessments: Manual

Placement into Program: Phonics/Decoding Assessment & Comprehension Assessment

Frequency of Progress Monitoring: (nothing systematic from

materials reviewed) questions at the end of passages, decodable books,

quick response to high frequency words)

Summative Assessments: Post Comprehension Assessment

Professional Development Requirements and Cost: One day training provided by publisher – cost included with purchase of program.

Who Can Deliver Program: Classroom teacher

Strengths of the Program:

• High interest reading materials
• Strong fluency component
• Delivery time may be modified from 1 hour to 2.5 hours

Weaknesses of the Program:

• Lacking formalized progress monitoring assessments
• Weak scaffolding for ELLs
• Lots of materials to keep track of year to year

Link to the Program’s Website: http://www.wrightgroup.com/

Cost:  $6,165.32 for Complete Program Set (Levels 1-7)

 $817 - $865 per Level Set (lower grade levels could have fewer levels, secondary grade levels could require more)