Dubuque Community Schools Hope to Excel with New Reading Program

By Lauren DeWitt, Reporter

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By Lisa Kunkel

Story Created: Jul 30, 2012 at 9:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2012 at 9:49 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Dubuque Community school district is hoping to take something good, and make it great. Although the district already excels in reading, they're hoping to take those skills to the next level with digital help.

They're adopting a new program this fall called LEAD21. The program is designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students involved in the program will be able to read books focused on a theme, but directed to different reading levels. The students will then discuss their readings on the subject through an online blog and class discussions.

The district is hoping the program will allow each child to move forward at a pace he or she is ready for.

"It gives teachers great options for helping students navigate this more complex text, said Wanda Steuri, Language Arts Coordinator for the district. "There is a nice split of fiction and nonfiction text, so it's only going to enhance and bring together even tighter what we already do."

LEAD21 will begin its first year in the Dubuque Community school district this fall.