EBLI Instruction and ACT Prep Success Story

07Oct11

Julia is a student that Shannon and Cricket worked with for 12  sessions of EBLI.  She was in the second half of her senior year of high school when she first came to Ounce of Prevention Reading Center.  She was very visual, in that she was reading everything from memory.  (Visual people will typically say “I can’t pronounce that word” at first glance as if they have to know the word before they read it.)   She seemed skeptical about using EBLI strategies, but recently her mother, Joy, shared Julia’s successes with Shannon in an email:   

Hi Shannon -

I will be happy to share the information.  Since Julia speaks English as a second language, I don’t think her progress is typical for other kids.  Here are her scores:

Here is the order of the numbers: Composite, English, Math, Reading, Science

Mar 2009: 13, 13, 14, 11, 15

Dec 2009: 15, 14, 16, 13, 17

Feb 2010: 16, 14, 15, 17, 17

Completed 3 EBLI Sessions (I think).

April 2010: 17, 16, 16, 15, 19

The score of 17 was enough to get her into college.

The real story begins after the last ACT test, she continued for several more sessions of EBLI.  After that, she suddenly became able to read and comprehend what she read.  She excelled during her freshman year at college ending the year with a grade point average of 3.6 even after taking math and chemistry.  So far this year, she has A’s in all of her classes.

We are certainly thankful for the EBLI system.  I just wish we had been aware of it before she began four difficult years of high school.

Have a good weekend – Joy

From everyone at Ounce of Prevention and EBLI, congratulations to Julia on all of her successes!

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Upcoming EBLI Trainings + Reflections from a new EBLI-ite

28Sep11

By Hannah Chahbazi

If you’ve been waiting to get trained in EBLI (Evidence Based Literacy Instruction), you have several options in the upcoming months.  We will be holding three trainings at Ounce of Prevention Reading Center in Flushing, MI between now and January as follows:

Nov. 14 and 21: 2 day Secondary Training (for content area secondary teachers)

Dec. 5, 6, 7: 3 day Training (for 2nd – 12th grade classroom, 1:1, special ed, small group teachers/instructors)

Jan. 23, 24, 25: 3 day Training (for K – 1st grade classroom)

To sign up or learn more about the trainings, you can call us at 810.732.4810 or email us at info@ebli.org.  Also feel free to visit our website: www.ebli.org.

In addition to presenting our newest trainings, I also wanted to briefly reflect on my first month working for EBLI.  I spent much of my young adulthood learning about, advocating for, and using EBLI.  Only since September 1, however, has EBLI become my full-time work.  Here’s why I’m pumped about it:

The growth that occurs with EBLI is not solely in literacy skills.  The other day I was watching Cricket work with a second grader at the Reading Center while sitting with his mom.  She told me that last school year he cried every day for the first three weeks of school and that it wasn’t happening this year.  She said his confidence was drastically improved.  I felt so uplifted by her words, and that moment made me realize that EBLI instruction does more than just give learners the tools necessary to read at their highest potential; it also truly changes lives.

I get to work with an incredible team.  Along with having the privilege of working closely with Nora (creator and president of EBLI), I also get to spend my days learning from Cricket, Shannon, Alissa, and LouCyndra.  They are a group of exceptional ladies who are constantly cultivating a judgment-free zone for learners, parents, educators, and everyone else who walks through our doors.  Already in my first month they’ve offered me insight and feedback on my teaching style as well as guided me as I started learning the ropes.  I am fortunate to work in a place where my co-workers feel like family and everyone is on board for the same mission of teaching the world to read.

We’re not alone in wanting to make illiteracy a thing of the past, not by a long shot.  There are so many people out there who are making changes in education.  From our good friend John Corcoran, who learned to read in his late 40s and has since devoted his life to literacy, to everyone at the Hacking Education dinner, to those learning to use EBLI strategies in their schools and organizations, I have already met dozens of people who are making a difference.  Their enthusiasm is contagious, and experiencing that enthusiasm serves to bring out my own.

As a recent college graduate, I’d had high hopes over the past 4 years for my first real job, and working for EBLI has exceeded them.  Despite the obligatory new job bumbles (not knowing how the credit card machine works, being asked “How old ARE you?” by one of my first students), the last month has been both rewarding and really fun, and I’m looking forward to many more.

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Hacking Education

20Sep11

By Hannah Chahbazi

On Friday night Nora, Allie, and I were fortunate enough to attend the Hacking Education dinner held in Detroit’s Renaissance Center.  The goal of the dinner, as it had also been previously in 4 other cities across the country, was to bring together people who are passionate about turning around the current education climate; literally “hacking into education” as it stands.  There were attendees from all over the country with a number of different backgrounds including business, education, investment, and technology.

The three of us were able to meet and connect with a diverse and dynamic group of people who care deeply about improving education and are part of some amazing organizations.  I learned about Wayne State University’s Tech Town, which offers incredible support to growing businesses, and also truApp and Virtual Nerd, both of which are providing innovative opportunities to high school students.  And a true highlight of the evening was watching Nora teach “dinner EBLI” to Dave Marino of Grockit, a company that provides test prep for high school and college students.

Jon Bischke, one of the minds behind the Hacking Education dinners, spoke about why he and his friends want to spur change in education.  We also heard from members of UM’s Social Venture Fund, who had the idea to sponsor a Hacking Education dinner specifically in Detroit.  Representatives from the evening’s other sponsors, Houghton-Mifflin and NewSchools Venture Fund, briefly outlined the work their companies do in education.  I had the opportunity to speak at length with Joe Ventura of NewSchools, and he mentioned EBLI in a great article in the NewSchools blog.

Nora has been teaching educators for 12 years, but only in the past year has EBLI been in Detroit.  The need for literacy instruction coupled with the inspiring passion of educators there prompted her to think of Detroit as the epicenter for the reading revolution.  If we want to teach the world to read, Detroit is one of the best places to start because, to quote Nora, “if it can be done in Detroit, it can be done anywhere.”  And if the energy in the room on Friday night was any indication, there are many others who are ready to do their part.

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First Day of School – Letter From A Parent

09Sep11

The following is the letter that LouCyndra McDonald, mother of Cody McDonald, wrote to everyone at OOPRC after her son’s first day of school this year.  She is currently a staff member with us and we are SO excited for her and Cody!

Hi all,

Just wanted to share how great Cody’s first couple of days at school were.  We have gone from a little boy whose teacher told him he could only color to an AMAZING, INDEPENDENT, PROBLEM SOLVING 7th grader!  He loves 7th grade and is so proud of himself for being able to not only memorize his locker com but he has been helping other 7th graders figure out their lockers.  He tells them he will help but they have to do it because “you don’t learn if you don’t do it yourself!”  He is so calm and confident about being a 7th grader.  On his second day of school, he lost his schedule but didn’t panic, he went to the class he thought was his 2nd hour only to be told by the 8th graders in there that “you don’t belong here kid!”  So he went and found an adult in the hallway who directed him to the office to get a new copy of his schedule.  He has an air of confidence when he comes home and talks about his day and says that his Math and English classes will be the hardest but he knows he will get through it.

I am amazed at the change and growth I have seen in him and know that none of it was possible without the dedication of everyone here!  I’m so thankful for all your help and support as we watch Cody’s amazing journey through life!

Love you guys, LouCyndra

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SES Grant goes through, Videotaping, and More

22Jul11

As the momentum of the summer continues on, the Ounce of Prevention and EBLI staff are seeing a record number of clients and holding a record number of trainings as well as other exciting events.  This week’s training was videotaped for future use in EBLI online, which is currently a work in progress.  The training was held at the Reading Center in Flushing, and included a number of fantastic educators from all over the state.  Nora’s training and consulting schedule is currently full through November, so if you or your school were interested in a training during the upcoming school year, get in contact with us!  810-732-4810

Software is currently being developed to teach EBLI through use of high-level content area and ACT vocabulary words.  We hope to have a working model completed by the end of the summer.

In other exciting news, the United Way of Western Michigan recently received an SES (Supplemental Service Provider) Grant.  The grant was written in order to partner with EBLI and train community members from the west side of the state in EBLI.  They will then do 1-on-1 tutoring and mentoring with high-risk high school students.  Nora and the staff are looking forward to working with Tony Campbell, vice president of West Michigan United Way, who will be heading up the project.  Stay tuned and keep up with our blog to learn more.

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Summer Starts with EBLI

20Jun11

The beginning of the summer has been eventful as ever for Nora and the OOPRC/EBLI staff.  On Saturday Nora attended the Beyond Basics fundraiser at the Taubman Design Center in Detroit, MI.  She had a great time and met many wonderful people who are interested in literacy.  Thank you to Pam Good, founder of Beyond Basics, for such a wonderful event!

The past few weeks have seen many days of training and consulting for Nora and Cricket.  Nora did the first two days of training for Crestwood in Dearborn, the school that is creating an EBLI course for all of their incoming freshmen.  There was also a great training last week at OOPRC with teachers from St. Marys in Sault Ste. Marie, North Huron, and Muskegon schools.  In addition, Nora and Cricket finished up consulting in several other school districts.

Though Nora is no stranger to constant change and growth in her business, this summer will see some forward leaps for EBLI.  There will be a great deal of focus on putting EBLI online so that its reach can be extended even further.  She also has new staff members coming on to keep up with the increased demand for quality reading instruction.

Remember that OOPRC is open all summer as well.  It is a great time for kids to come in and get 1-on-1 instruction while their brains and schedules aren’t quite as full.

As always, thank you to all our supporters out there, whether you are an educator, parent, or EBLI advocate.  You have helped EBLI to grow and reach more and more struggling readers every day!  Keep stopping by our blog, and we’ll keep you posted.

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This week with EBLI

03Jun11

Yesterday Nora had her first day of training at Crestwood in Dearborn.  When their staff have finished EBLI training, they will be implementing a 12-week literacy course for all of their incoming freshmen students.  The curriculum for the course is currently being created by Nora and the OOPRC staff with the help of high school teacher Brady Lake.  A strong EBLI instructor and supporter, Brady used EBLI instruction with his 75 high school juniors in St. Charles.  The students went on to make an overall average gain of 2 points on the ACT – from 17.9 to 19.9.  Congratulations on your achievement!

The Academy of Flint had their last day of training this week.  They will be using EBLI in their summer school this year and going full force in the fall.  Nora and Cricket look forward to their final day of consulting with the trainees next week.

This summer will see several new schools joining the EBLI community.  North Huron school district will be training some of their K – 5 staff.  St. Mary’s in Sault Ste. Marie will also be sending some of their staff for a training.  And Lakeview school district will be training their entire middle and high school staff.  We look forward to a wonderful and productive summer.  Check out the EBLI website for more resources and to view our calendar: www.ebli.org.

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EBLI Taping at USA School

20May11

This year has brought a whirlwind of activity to EBLI.  The staff at OOPRC continues to see upwards of 40 clients a week, and Nora is booked solid for trainings through October!  These events coupled with the energy of everyone in attendance at the first annual Teach the World to Read conference last month have created an environment of huge growth and excitement for everyone involved with EBLI.

Last week, Nora and Cricket consulted in 5 schools across the state and taped EBLI instruction in a kindergarten class at USA School.  The adorable kids took a break after an hour of focused work to draw some pictures, and many chose to portray their versions of Nora – check out the one below.  Thank you so much, USA, for allowing EBLI to tape with your students!  We appreciate you, and everyone else who is helping to make Nora’s dream of teaching the world to read a reality.

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Teach the World to Read Conference

06May11

Last week a group of educators, administrators, parents, and literacy advocates from around the country gathered in Detroit, MI for the first annual Teach the World to Read summit.  The idea came to Nora Chahbazi in January of 2011, when she decided that a network of literacy pioneers needed a forum to connect, brainstorm, and get the ball rolling toward the goal of teaching the world to read.  With the assistance of Jordan Wolfe, founder of the Future Midwest Conference, her idea became reality on April 29, 2011.

For more information about the summit, please see the conference press release.

For information about Tom Nickel, attendee and author of the press release, please visit his blog.

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John Corcoran Visits Michigan

16Jun10

Author and literacy advocate John Corcoran visited Michigan in the last week of May.  He held two presentations in Flushing and Fruitport as well as having several interviews and sitting in on EBLI instruction.  Click here to read Nora’s article about his visit and see all the pictures!

Be sure to check into the blog next week to read about Nora’s EBLI adventures with Margaret and Katie in Texas…

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