3 Apr 2002
1,200 Teachers Expected to Attend
DALLAS—National experts will address more than 1,200 Dallas Independent School District reading teachers at the Spring Into Reading conference at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the World Trade Center, 2050 Stemmons Freeway.
Thirty-five sessions, including non-fiction reading and writing strategies, family literacy, vocabulary strategies, bilingual and English as a second language, will be offered. Having an increased focus on reading is one of several steps the school district has taken to ensure students develop the skills necessary to master standardized tests and enhance performance in reading.
"This reading conference reflects the district's commitment to developing teachers through quality professional development. We believe in the ongoing training of teachers in order to ensure student success," said Hector Montenegro, deputy superintendent—Instructional Services.
A panel of reading experts will share information about the latest developments in the field of reading. One of the programs to be highlighted in the spring conference is Open Court implementation strategies.
Open Court, a systematic program which balances phonics and literature, was introduced in DISD schools in the fall. Changing the reading philosophy is one of several steps the school district has taken to ensure students develop the skills necessary to master stardardized tests and enhance performance in reading.