Dr. Charlene Klassen Endrizzi, associate professor of education at Westminster College, and three Connoquenessing elementary teachers presented the findings of their two-year research inquiry into home-school partnerships at the Whole Language Umbrella Conference this summer.

Endrizzi's was research initiated through a "Read to Succeed" program in Connoquenessing Elementary School.

"The Read to Succeed participants meet every Wednesday after school for eight weeks each semester," said Endrizzi. "The sessions are lead by six Connoquenessing teachers, four Westminster student teachers, and four Westminster College junior block students. Each semester, we have new Westminster students helping out."

"Our goal is that every Read to Succeed student will read with comprehension by the end of grade three," continued Endrizzi. "We achieve this by providing the extra teacher support and through a parent-teacher support group that meets monthly."

Four Westminster College graduate students, Paula Eakin, Patti Hockensmith, Erin Kamerer, and Karen Matis, helped compile the research that Endrizzi presented. They worked with the Read to Suceed children during two weeks of summer school.

"During the summer, I was able to work with children and their parents," said Matis. "We worked with several students reading orally, playing word games, writing stories, and doing a variety of fun activities to enhance the reading experience. Reading is fun, and students needed to see how activities related to reading can make the text come alive."

"Not only did we learn about the entire reading process from Charlene, but we learned from each other and our daily interactions with the students," said Eakin. "The parents played such a critical role in the entire learning experience. This is one aspect I took with me to my home school district. The strides achieved this summer served as a wonderful springboard into each of our daily classrooms."

Endrizzi's research was funded through the "Read to Succeed" Pennsylvania Department of Education literary grant.

Westminster College elementary education majors currently helping this semester include: Christina Kuhn, Pam McCalmont, Chrstie Mehalik, Anna Morris, Kristie Perrotte, Kathy Shelenberger, Kevin Webb, and Abby Wessel.

For more information, contact Endrizzi at (724) 946-7189 or e-mail endrizck@westminster.edu.