School of Education students support young readers in need

Westlake’s goals with the tutoring program include increased phonics and phonemic awareness, building the foundational skills of reading.

Every Thursday, a group of IU School of Education students leaves campus bright and early. Their destination is Westlake Elementary School on the west side of Indianapolis. They spend the school day working in a classroom, and then stay after school is done for the day to help tutor Westlake students that need extra help with reading. Westlake staff provided the lessons and guidance for School of Education students, who in turn provide the tutoring.

The partnership with Westlake over the past several years is even more important now, given the new landscape in elementary schools in which instruction needs to be aligned to Science of Reading instructional strategies. Susan Klinker said it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

“The IU students love being able to support the Westlake staff and students, and they find the opportunity to be very meaningful and useful,” she added. “The tutoring program allows IU students to practice using Science of Reading strategies with the Westlake students, which helps them connect theory with practice.”

The tutoring program allows IU students to practice using Science of Reading strategies with the Westlake students, which helps them connect theory with practice.

Susan Klinker

Westlake’s goals with the tutoring program include increased phonics and phonemic awareness, building the foundational skills of reading. A hopeful by-product will be students passing the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination, or IREAD3, a reading assessment test for third graders. But for those students, tutoring has even more benefits.

“Our students see it as a fun opportunity—they get to stay after school, have a fun snack, and build relationships with adults, learning along the way. Our staff appreciate all the additional opportunities and support we can provide to our students,” said Westlake Principal Robert Irvine.

Irvine added Westlake is incredibly grateful for the partnership: “We look forward to its continued success in the future. We are hopeful that some of the interns who want to remain in the central Indiana region for student teaching or employment see Wayne Township for the wonderful place it is and want to continue their journey to support students in our incredible district.”