Student Success Stories From Parents

Benjamin Cohen's Story by Marcy Stein

Reading Recovery is a program that was introduced to my family in the Manhattan New School, PS 290, in New York City. When our son, Ben, was a first grade child, he was struggling with his reading. Blair Lyn, Ben’s first grade teacher suggested that he be placed in Reading Recovery. This is a special program at school where Ben had individual instruction several times per week and worked, not with his regular teacher, but with Beth Kufeld who is a reading specialist. In addition to Ben's work with Beth, he had additional homework as well. The homework consisted of reading short books and putting sentences together. The sentences were made up by Ben and Beth during their time, but they were cut in to separate words. Ben was then required to assemble the sentences.

This work has been an unbelievable experience for both Ben and for my husband and me as parents. Ben feels great about himself and is reading better than ever. He really enjoys reading. As parents, we no longer need to worry about having to fill his free time up with extra help and now he can enjoy more extra curricular activities. His self-esteem is great and he is achieving with great strides.

Reading Recovery should be available to every first grader who struggles to learn to read! It can change a child’s life. Now Ben is finishing third grade and there’s no stopping him!!

Photo: Ben 2008