DeTomaso Mailing List: August 2000, Message #184

Yes, that's me, crying, sob sob... cuz I missed everyone today, at the 
Marconi, more than you can imagine... in fact, I stealthily crawled out 
early, about 2pm, under tables of computers, from Foshay Learning Center's 
Tech. Lab (K-12 school near USC), and did my best to hustle on a crowded 405, 
and actually did get to the museum at 3:30, but alas (sob sob), no one 
remaining.  So made the rounds in that hood for a bit, and found a really 
good little Mexican grill with excellent fresh (not fried) fish tacos... sob 
sob again,  cuz i know Al's luncheon was much more convivial (how's that 
word?) and lovely.
    On the upside... the training was one of the most fantastic programs I've 
ever witnessed.  Since you know me by now...for me not to complain, is really 
a FirSSt!!!!!!!   LA Unified Dist. has adopted a new "Intensive Academic 
Support Program" for students seriously below grade level in the major 
academic areas (this means there will be continuous remediation, even 
Saturday school.. 'til the goods sink in!!!) No more, will students be passed 
on to the next grade based on age alone. This was the first day of a two 
Saturday inservice for selected teachers, in training for a "Scholastic" 
program called "Read 180." (180 = a 4 day model of 180 min's. of intensive 
instruction).  Ok.. I know it's not car talk.. but... it IS somewhat 
technical.. so bare with me... The possibilities for this program are 
incredible!!  
    Each student's reading level is assessed by puter first, then they begin 
this program (could last a year or more)..there are specific methodologies 
for delivering direct instruction and then.. the great part, via the 
computer, thousands of programs, at the student's correct level, and which 
involve reading selections on very motivating topics. First a short video is 
viewed on puter which pertains to the reading selection.. (For the teachers' 
practice today, we had a true life story and movie about an artist whose art 
work is created on acres of land.. only to be viewed for it's artistic value, 
from a plane.. the work we viewed was his "planted" version of Van Gogh's 
Sunflowers, created on acres of actual farmland with thousands of sunflower 
plants.. an aerial view, showed the picture, it was unbelievable, and 
actually was maybe even more impressive than the Pageant of Masters' in 
Laguna Beach).   All this on the puter...then, follow-up questions, spelling 
games, speed typing, reading aloud etc. etc. and having errors corrected.  
Then the program scores, tracks statistical data of progress and documents 
(based on national standardized percentiles and stanines) in all areas 
assessed.  Additionally, a resource reading list is generated for the 
student's appropriate reading level.  Thus, parents know what books to 
buy/check out for their kiddies.  The students are said to love this 
program... to them, they're playing computer games.  Beaucoup money has gone 
into the program for district wide materials, puters, training etc.  So... 
watch for a new generation of future De Tomaso owning, literate and happy 
PUBLIC SCHOOL students.
xoxo FirSSt (to give up the best sounding event ever, in the line of duty.. 
sob sob sob sob sob sob.............)