Santa Fe New Mexican Editorial March 28,2023
Santa Fe New Mexican:
Santa Fe Youth Literacy Program Reading Quest
Presenting Method at England Conference
By Margaret O’Hara, Photo by Javier Gallegos/The New Mexican | March 22, 2023
Kasey Rivera, 9, spent Wednesday morning reading about a narwhal.
With some help from Avery Armstrong, a reading specialist, Kasey breezed through the book, sitting on a couch at the headquarters of Santa Fe-based literacy organization Reading Quest. Occasionally, Armstrong paused Kasey as she read aloud to ask comprehension questions or revisit a word.
But there’s a big difference between Wednesday’s Kasey — who could read out complicated narwhal facts with minimal help from Armstrong — and the Kasey who first arrived at Reading Quest.
That Kasey lacked the confidence to read aloud.
“They’ve changed a lot about me,” Kasey said of the Reading Quest staff. “I used to be so nervous about reading out loud. And now, I can do that without even being nervous.
“I love this place. It’s one of my favorite places in the whole world. If I could be anywhere for the rest of my life, it’d be here,” she added.
Soon, Reading Quest will showcase one of Kasey’s favorite places in the whole world to the whole world.
Each week, the organization serves 440 young readers in Santa Fe and West Las Vegas, N.M., largely at no cost to students and their families. In April, Reading Quest staff members will make a presentation at the World Literacy Summit in Oxford, England, to an anticipated audience of more than 40,000 people around the globe.
The presentation, Armstrong said, will show the international literacy community the “magic” baked into Reading Quest’s method.
“What makes the program really special is A, we use the science of reading, but B, we make it really fun and engaging,” said Reading Quest Executive Director Rayna Dineen.
Reading Quest’s trained staff leverage the science of reading — a pedagogical model based in explicit and systematic instruction on elements essential to reading, like phonics, comprehension and phonological awareness.
Dineen said it essentially gives students an outline of the “rules of reading” and how to apply them.
“All kids can succeed in reading when they’re given the right support,” she said.
And the science of reading seems to be the right support. Since 2020, the learning model been included in the state Public Education Department’s best practices for improving student literacy, particularly among biliterate and dyslexic students.
But beyond acquainting students with the rules of reading, the program also strives to create an atmosphere where reading is encouraged and enjoyable, Dineen said.
Upon learning to read 100 new words or finishing 10 books, students “level up,” meaning they get a certificate, a prize from the organization’s treasure trove and a new book to read.
Tutoring time revolves around playing games, too. As they played a board game together, reading specialist Hugo Castaneda Serrano and student Daniel Castaneda, 10, occasionally paused play to read and write words from flash cards.
Reading Quest staff members develop trusting relationships with their students, Armstrong said. The tutors ask what books their students are interested in, what television shows they like, what they want to be when they grow up.
“A lot of kids spend time feeling embarrassed or nervous about their reading ability, but we show them that, more than anything, we care about them. And then, hopefully, they’re not so nervous when they read with us,” Armstrong said.
Students seem to feel it. Before reading words like “insightful” and “disruptive” from advanced word cards, Camila Marquez Rico, 10, said she always feels welcome at the Reading Quest hub.
“It’s a safe place where, if I share something private [with the reading specialists], I know that they’re going to keep it between them and me. No one else,” she said.
The organization’s unique combination of fun and phonics works, Dineen said. Assessment data from students at Nina Otero Community School in Santa Fe and Luis E. Armijo Elementary School in Las Vegas collected after one semester in the program show growth far beyond the expected level.
First graders at each school, for instance, improved their test scores by an average of 48 points at Nina Otero and 29 points at Armijo, when anticipated growth averages around 12 points.
This level efficacy — and encouraging enjoyment in reading — is what the Reading Quest staff said they hope to show colleagues from more than 85 countries at the World Literacy Summit in April.
Reading will be a “passport to the future and the world,” Dineen said — for the organization’s staff and students alike.
With some help from Avery Armstrong, a reading specialist, Kasey breezed through the book, sitting on a couch at the headquarters of Santa Fe-based literacy organization Reading Quest. Occasionally, Armstrong paused Kasey as she read aloud to ask comprehension questions or revisit a word.
But there’s a big difference between Wednesday’s Kasey — who could read out complicated narwhal facts with minimal help from Armstrong — and the Kasey who first arrived at Reading Quest.
That Kasey lacked the confidence to read aloud.
“They’ve changed a lot about me,” Kasey said of the Reading Quest staff. “I used to be so nervous about reading out loud. And now, I can do that without even being nervous.
“I love this place. It’s one of my favorite places in the whole world. If I could be anywhere for the rest of my life, it’d be here,” she added.
Soon, Reading Quest will showcase one of Kasey’s favorite places in the whole world to the whole world.
Each week, the organization serves 440 young readers in Santa Fe and West Las Vegas, N.M., largely at no cost to students and their families. In April, Reading Quest staff members will make a presentation at the World Literacy Summit in Oxford, England, to an anticipated audience of more than 40,000 people around the globe.
The presentation, Armstrong said, will show the international literacy community the “magic” baked into Reading Quest’s method.
“What makes the program really special is A, we use the science of reading, but B, we make it really fun and engaging,” said Reading Quest Executive Director Rayna Dineen.
Reading Quest’s trained staff leverage the science of reading — a pedagogical model based in explicit and systematic instruction on elements essential to reading, like phonics, comprehension and phonological awareness.
Dineen said it essentially gives students an outline of the “rules of reading” and how to apply them.
“All kids can succeed in reading when they’re given the right support,” she said.
And the science of reading seems to be the right support. Since 2020, the learning model been included in the state Public Education Department’s best practices for improving student literacy, particularly among biliterate and dyslexic students.
But beyond acquainting students with the rules of reading, the program also strives to create an atmosphere where reading is encouraged and enjoyable, Dineen said.
Upon learning to read 100 new words or finishing 10 books, students “level up,” meaning they get a certificate, a prize from the organization’s treasure trove and a new book to read.
Tutoring time revolves around playing games, too. As they played a board game together, reading specialist Hugo Castaneda Serrano and student Daniel Castaneda, 10, occasionally paused play to read and write words from flash cards.
Reading Quest staff members develop trusting relationships with their students, Armstrong said. The tutors ask what books their students are interested in, what television shows they like, what they want to be when they grow up.
“A lot of kids spend time feeling embarrassed or nervous about their reading ability, but we show them that, more than anything, we care about them. And then, hopefully, they’re not so nervous when they read with us,” Armstrong said.
Students seem to feel it. Before reading words like “insightful” and “disruptive” from advanced word cards, Camila Marquez Rico, 10, said she always feels welcome at the Reading Quest hub.
“It’s a safe place where, if I share something private [with the reading specialists], I know that they’re going to keep it between them and me. No one else,” she said.
The organization’s unique combination of fun and phonics works, Dineen said. Assessment data from students at Nina Otero Community School in Santa Fe and Luis E. Armijo Elementary School in Las Vegas collected after one semester in the program show growth far beyond the expected level.
First graders at each school, for instance, improved their test scores by an average of 48 points at Nina Otero and 29 points at Armijo, when anticipated growth averages around 12 points.
This level efficacy — and encouraging enjoyment in reading — is what the Reading Quest staff said they hope to show colleagues from more than 85 countries at the World Literacy Summit in April.
Reading will be a “passport to the future and the world,” Dineen said — for the organization’s staff and students alike.
Santa Fe Magazine #6
Santa Fe New Mexican article:
Reading can and should be magical
By Rayna Dineen | December 13, 2022
"Do I have to stop reading?"
Maria is a fourth grade student who learned how to read last year, and now she doesn't want to stop reading.
Maria begins her weekly tutoring session by reading aloud from a list her reading specialist creates of words that challenged her in the prior session. Together she and the specialist review phonics reading rules that guide her in figuring out the words: How many vowels are in the word? Is there a "magic e"? Are there "two vowels walking"? Does the vowel say its name, or does it make the "short" sound?
Using American Sign Language for each vowel supports a multisensory practice for the sounds the vowels make.
Next Maria reads a book that reinforces the phonics rules she has already learned while the specialist notes any words that challenge Maria. If she has mastered the rule, the specialist introduces another rule that helps with reading more complex words. Maria and the specialist complete the session by playing a reading game that incorporates writing and spelling.
Maria is a hardworking bilingual student who has thrived with individualized phonics-based support in reading. She is tutored during the school day by Reading Quest at her south-side school.
Reading Quest serves 400 students each week in grades 1-8, mainly from Title 1 schools in Santa Fe and West Las Vegas, in addition to offering professional development workshops for teachers parents and tutors.
We also offer six weeks of free Reading is Magic summer programming in partnership with Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences and Santa Fe Public Schools. Our weekly Afghan Children's program provides a creative literacy program of English classes and reading support for recent Afghan refugee families.
Reading Quest has created an instructional program that closely follows the complex science of how children learn to read English, but does so in a way that is fun, engaging, and "magical" that children who have not been able to master the basics of reading quickly grow into competent, enthusiastic readers.
"Reading Quest has made me feel happy. For once, I actually feel like I have somewhere to fit in. Before I figured out what Reading Quest was, I had a lot of trouble with reading - and when it was my time to read, I couldn't even read one word and everybody would just look at me and say 'She doesn't know how to read and she's in third grade' and so I would never like to be picked [to read aloud]. Reading Quest helped me a lot. Now that I have fully experienced Reading Quest, all I know is that there are multiple kids that are like me that can't pronounce one word and if I ever see a kid like that, I'll tell them 'Reading Quest is the place to go.' "
Maria's spirit and curiosity for learning shines through in everything she does, and we feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with many inspiring students like her every day.
Fortunately, in Santa Fe, our school district recognizes the need for additional individualized support for students who are below grade level in reading proficiency, and has partnered with Reading Quest to deliver tutoring to students.
We deeply appreciate all of the hardworking teachers and principals who partner with us and put their hearts into their work with children every day.
Learning how to read can be joyful and magical. Our experience with over a thousand students has shown us that all students can learn how to read, and once they do, they don't want to stop.
To learn more, visit readingquestcenter.org.
Rayna Dineen is the executive director for Reading Quest. Founded in 2015, Reading Quest provides equitable access to quality reading instruction for all students and empowers them to believe in themselves as they become strong, enthusiastic readers. Let us know if you are interested in attending our next parent workshop Jan. 22.
Maria is a fourth grade student who learned how to read last year, and now she doesn't want to stop reading.
Maria begins her weekly tutoring session by reading aloud from a list her reading specialist creates of words that challenged her in the prior session. Together she and the specialist review phonics reading rules that guide her in figuring out the words: How many vowels are in the word? Is there a "magic e"? Are there "two vowels walking"? Does the vowel say its name, or does it make the "short" sound?
Using American Sign Language for each vowel supports a multisensory practice for the sounds the vowels make.
Next Maria reads a book that reinforces the phonics rules she has already learned while the specialist notes any words that challenge Maria. If she has mastered the rule, the specialist introduces another rule that helps with reading more complex words. Maria and the specialist complete the session by playing a reading game that incorporates writing and spelling.
Maria is a hardworking bilingual student who has thrived with individualized phonics-based support in reading. She is tutored during the school day by Reading Quest at her south-side school.
Reading Quest serves 400 students each week in grades 1-8, mainly from Title 1 schools in Santa Fe and West Las Vegas, in addition to offering professional development workshops for teachers parents and tutors.
We also offer six weeks of free Reading is Magic summer programming in partnership with Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences and Santa Fe Public Schools. Our weekly Afghan Children's program provides a creative literacy program of English classes and reading support for recent Afghan refugee families.
Reading Quest has created an instructional program that closely follows the complex science of how children learn to read English, but does so in a way that is fun, engaging, and "magical" that children who have not been able to master the basics of reading quickly grow into competent, enthusiastic readers.
"Reading Quest has made me feel happy. For once, I actually feel like I have somewhere to fit in. Before I figured out what Reading Quest was, I had a lot of trouble with reading - and when it was my time to read, I couldn't even read one word and everybody would just look at me and say 'She doesn't know how to read and she's in third grade' and so I would never like to be picked [to read aloud]. Reading Quest helped me a lot. Now that I have fully experienced Reading Quest, all I know is that there are multiple kids that are like me that can't pronounce one word and if I ever see a kid like that, I'll tell them 'Reading Quest is the place to go.' "
Maria's spirit and curiosity for learning shines through in everything she does, and we feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with many inspiring students like her every day.
Fortunately, in Santa Fe, our school district recognizes the need for additional individualized support for students who are below grade level in reading proficiency, and has partnered with Reading Quest to deliver tutoring to students.
We deeply appreciate all of the hardworking teachers and principals who partner with us and put their hearts into their work with children every day.
Learning how to read can be joyful and magical. Our experience with over a thousand students has shown us that all students can learn how to read, and once they do, they don't want to stop.
To learn more, visit readingquestcenter.org.
Rayna Dineen is the executive director for Reading Quest. Founded in 2015, Reading Quest provides equitable access to quality reading instruction for all students and empowers them to believe in themselves as they become strong, enthusiastic readers. Let us know if you are interested in attending our next parent workshop Jan. 22.
SONY CREATE ACTION GRANT (click to read the article)
Reading Quest is the August recipient of a Sony Create Action grant. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Reading Quest is a non-profit organization that "provides joyful, quality reading tutoring for striving readers. We empower children to believe in themselves and support them to become strong, enthusiastic readers." Reading Quest received $50,000 in cash to continue and expand their work, a custom short film telling their story, $50,000 in Sony Electronics products to support their action plan, and collaboration and partnership with Sony. Thank you to the amazing filmmaker and storyteller, Jake Miramontez!
Click here to read the full story.
Santa Fe New Mexican:
Santa Fe Summer Reading Camp Brings Books to Life
By Jessica Pollard Education Reporter | July 22, 2021
There is trouble in the Kingdom of the Book of Hope, a place filled with forest-dwelling fairies and unicorns.
The scene is the setting for an elaborate story with an array of medieval characters, from fairies and dragons to court jesters and princesses, uniting under a similar struggle: environmental degradation. The young writers of the original movie script — mostly second and third graders enrolled in a summer reading camp — also star as the motley group, which solves their crisis through teamwork and a magical book.
Dozens of kids in the Reading is Magic Summer Camp donned Middle Ages-themed costumes Thursday as filming began for their project, Tales from the Kingdom of the Magical Book of Hope.
There were lights, cameras, special effects and even a clapboard.
Reading is Magic, a free summer program with several sessions for students of different ages, is organized by the nonprofit Reading Quest in collaboration with Santa Fe Public Schools and the Santa Fe School for the Arts and Sciences, where the camp is held each year. Participants — students who could use a boost in their reading skills — are selected through the school district and its Native American Student Services program.
Tutors and reading specialists start each camp session with a goal of accelerating students through an entire grade level of reading standards in just two weeks.
Avery Armstrong, a reading specialist for Reading Quest, which offers tutoring services in reading and after-school programs for public school students, said some kids are further behind in English language skills than educators have seen previously, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Each year, the camp is centered on the Middle Ages.
“Kids pick up vocabulary really well when it’s about one specific thing,” Armstrong said as campers, hungry after a morning of filming their scenes, went outside for a snack.
“They don’t even realize they’re reading, but they’re reading over and over and over again,” Armstrong added.
She and other reading specialists, along with high school and college tutors, started the camp session last week by getting the kids acclimated to one another.
In the second week, the kids started to work on their film scripts and practice their lines.
By the end of the second week, the students were ready to perform.
Ordinarily, they would put on a live play. But program Director Rayna Dineen said due to the pandemic, the organization chose to film a production at each camp sessions for families to watch from afar. The Native-owned Fox Clan Productions, a local company, is helping with the effort.
The film project, a big hit with the kids, could become an annual tradition.
Alyssa Enriquez, an 8-year-old heading into third grade at Nava Elementary School, plays the part of a hungry wolf aptly named “Wolfie” in this group’s film. She and her fellow wolves are heavily impacted by logging.
“We had to go and help make the forest all better,” she said, “so we could eat and live a normal life again.”
This is Alyssa’s first time participating in Reading Quest’s summer camp.
She used to love it when her mom read her bedtime stories, she said, but when that stopped, reading became a lot harder for her in school.
“My favorite part about camp is learning everything new and having all the challenges of reading,” Alyssa said. She added with a laugh: “I wish we could stay here for like nine more months and skip school.”
Albuquerque Journal North:
Programs Help Kids Avoid Summer 'Brain Drain'
Reading Quest Book Review in the Santa Fean Magazine
2021 year in preview - The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
The great academic catch-up
Children are likely to return en masse to school buildings in 2021, wrapping up our involuntary national experiment with home schooling. But the effects of the pandemic on American education will extend long beyond the end of Zoom school. And even before the fights over reopening campuses have ended, attention is turning to the next challenge: How to help children make up the ground they’ve lost. One answer, experts say, could be an unprecedented large-scale tutoring program.
Significant academic damage to children has already been recorded, particularly in math, as students have struggled to connect and teachers have struggled to teach remotely. Students of color and those in low-income families are seeing the steepest losses — exacerbating existing inequities. In a December report, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. predicted that White students could lose the equivalent of eight months of math if schools stayed closed through June, while students of color could lose as much as 12 months. McKinsey estimates that high-intensity tutoring to cover half of U.S. students would cost $66 billion (at $2,500 per student), and advocates hope the federal government and private foundations will pay the bill.
It’s a big tab, and it’s far from a sure thing that there will be any money. Still, research — including a recent meta-analysis of 96 tutoring programs by J-PAL North America, an MIT lab focused on poverty issues — suggests that well-executed tutoring programs are effective at helping students catch up quickly, even more than other large-scale interventions (including reducing class sizes, providing additional training for teachers or purchasing new curriculums).
To be effective, experts say, tutoring needs to be consistent — at least two or three hours a week, for at least several months. The best programs are embedded within schools so that learning aligns with the local curriculum (and so students show up). Tutors don’t necessarily have to be teachers, however: Lower-paid paraprofessionals have nearly as much success, the research shows.
Schools are already strapped for cash, tax collections are down, and it’s been hard to pry funding out of Washington. If districts are left on their own, there’s little doubt that wealthy ones will be far better positioned to help kids catch up than their higher-need, higher-poverty counterparts. Schools appear eager to ramp up tutoring in 2021, but who will pay for the project — if anyone — is far less clear.
Laura Meckler is a national education writer
@laurameckler
Significant academic damage to children has already been recorded, particularly in math, as students have struggled to connect and teachers have struggled to teach remotely. Students of color and those in low-income families are seeing the steepest losses — exacerbating existing inequities. In a December report, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. predicted that White students could lose the equivalent of eight months of math if schools stayed closed through June, while students of color could lose as much as 12 months. McKinsey estimates that high-intensity tutoring to cover half of U.S. students would cost $66 billion (at $2,500 per student), and advocates hope the federal government and private foundations will pay the bill.
It’s a big tab, and it’s far from a sure thing that there will be any money. Still, research — including a recent meta-analysis of 96 tutoring programs by J-PAL North America, an MIT lab focused on poverty issues — suggests that well-executed tutoring programs are effective at helping students catch up quickly, even more than other large-scale interventions (including reducing class sizes, providing additional training for teachers or purchasing new curriculums).
To be effective, experts say, tutoring needs to be consistent — at least two or three hours a week, for at least several months. The best programs are embedded within schools so that learning aligns with the local curriculum (and so students show up). Tutors don’t necessarily have to be teachers, however: Lower-paid paraprofessionals have nearly as much success, the research shows.
Schools are already strapped for cash, tax collections are down, and it’s been hard to pry funding out of Washington. If districts are left on their own, there’s little doubt that wealthy ones will be far better positioned to help kids catch up than their higher-need, higher-poverty counterparts. Schools appear eager to ramp up tutoring in 2021, but who will pay for the project — if anyone — is far less clear.
Laura Meckler is a national education writer
@laurameckler
Reading Quest was honored to chat with Brian S. Colón
on his Cafecito con Colón live show!
Cafecito con Colón with Reading Quest! Part I - Brian S. Colón
Cafecito con Colón with Reading Quest! Part II - Brian S. Colón
A loving, resilient Reading Quest family dealing with home insecurity
Hechinger Report: Reading Quest op-ed: Tips on Teaching Reading in the Time of Coronavirus
Spring, 2020 Highlights
One of our graduating senior tutors, Zuleyma Zambrano, was just featured in the SF New Mexican and in
the Hechinger Report. |
Our ambassador in training, Braulio Chavez is recognized in the SF New Mexican for his dedication to service.
Braulio was later featured in Parade and Scholastic Magazines! |
Reading Quest tutors in the News!
July, 2019: Our dedicated tutor Edgar Sarceño and our Reading is Magic Camp was featured on Channel 7 news!
Journey Santa Fe at Collected Works Bookstore
Reading Quest Director's Rayna Dineen made a presentation focused on "Reading is a Human Right"
Reading Quest in the Santa Fe New Mexican!
Reading Quest featured in Tumbleweeds!
Reading Quest on the Richards Eads show!
Reading Quest Presented at SFAI140 (March 2018)
On March 18, 2018, Zulyema, an amazing Reading Quest Tutor, and our courageous young student, Braulio, both represented Reading Quest at SFAI140 along with director, Rayna Dineen. You can see them the video of our 140 second presentation. Thank you Santa Fe Art Institute for inviting us!
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CONTACT INFO
Executive Director: Rayna Dineen
Phone: 505-920-9709
Email: readingquestcenter@gmail.com
Mailing Address (for mailing only):
Reading Quest PMB # 652
369 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2626
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