Fairfax County Public Schools announced on Mar. 24 that Hollin Meadows Elementary School has seen improvement in third grade reading scores through the implementation of the Walk to Read program.
Early literacy is a focus of the FCPS Strategic Plan 2023-2030, as reading by third grade is linked to future academic success, high school graduation, and college enrollment. The Walk to Read initiative aims to support students in reaching grade-level reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
The program organizes daily intervention time outside of core language arts instruction, allowing students to move between classrooms and work in small groups based on their specific skills. Reading specialists and other staff join classroom teachers so each educator can concentrate on targeted instruction for one group at a time. “There’s just no way for us all to be able to do that with just the classroom teachers alone,” Reading Specialist Andrea Ullmann said.
Educators regularly review student data and adjust group placements as needed. This approach has resulted in previously high-risk readers advancing to meet or exceed expectations, including a reported 10% increase in students reading at grade level at Hollin Meadows Elementary School.
A student described how individualized support made challenging material easier: her teacher “helped me sound them out, she taught me new tricks. So that really helped improve my reading. That’s really easy now.” Teachers noted increased enthusiasm among students for these sessions: “Instead of calling it ‘Walk to Read,’ we could almost call it ‘Run to Read.’ The kids are running out of the classroom, excited to go to their group.”
The school division says this model helps prevent students from falling behind and supports every child in achieving their academic potential.