Clay Hill Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida, discovered a transformative approach to improving literacy among struggling readers. With strategic planning, collaboration, and the right resources, the school utilized technology to enhance student achievement. A key insight was that struggling students feel more comfortable with individualized instruction through a device, making eBooks crucial for language and digital literacy.

Tracey Kendrick, Principal in the Clay County, Florida, school district, led the charge in creating a model for a technology-enabled school. Along with Tammy Taylor, Kendrick implemented innovative technologies at Clay Hill Elementary, resulting in significant student achievement gains. They are now applying these successful strategies at Oakleaf Village Elementary within the same district.

Leveling the Playing Field

When Kendrick arrived at Clay Hill, she faced profound poverty and disengaged students, creating a severe opportunity gap. “I was seeking ways to make education relevant and engaging for students while exposing them to more of the world,” Kendrick shared. Many students were not reading at grade level and lacked access to books at home, with the nearest library over 10 miles away.

Kendrick realized the potential of digital resources. “I was excited to learn that many of my students had Internet access at home with a smartphone or another device,” she said. The plan to become a 1:1 school was approved, and the school purchased hundreds of iPads. Students were enthusiastic about engaging with content in this new way, and Taylor, a reading resource teacher, sought ways to use iPads to increase reading time and improve literacy skills.

Taylor approached Kendrick with a list of eBooks and a rationale for their choices, leading to the first order via Follett Titlewave®, ensuring alignment with learning objectives.

The Story of Transformation

Over ten years, Kendrick and Taylor transformed Clay Hill Elementary into a digital powerhouse, making significant strides in reading and writing comprehension among students. Clay Hill now uses more eBooks than any other Follett customer, with students continuing to make literacy gains using digital content.

At Oakleaf Village Elementary, Kendrick and Taylor are replicating the 1:1 program from Clay Hill. They secured $5,000from the district’s STEM director for eBooks, aiming to improve literacy for their new students. “We saw what the program did for the kids at Clay Hill,” Taylor said, “and knew we just had to try to replicate that success at Oakleaf.”

Transforming a Literacy Program

Kendrick and Taylor are applying lessons from Clay Hill to achieve new literacy levels at Oakleaf Elementary. They collaborate with teachers and administrators to continuously improve literacy. “Collaboration isn’t limited just to educators,” said Taylor. “We’re transferring the ownership of learning to the students themselves, helping them see how they have control over their own learning.”

Taylor and Kendrick use data to demonstrate the impact of independent reading on performance, investing students in their progress. They anticipate significant growth in student eBook usage with the planned introduction of Chromebooks for every student within two years.

Tammy Taylor explained, “Struggling students appreciate the privacy a digital device provides. A tablet does not display the cover of the book they are reading, offering the opportunity to read and practice without fear or intimidation. Students can enjoy books on the appropriate level without fear of embarrassment.”

Adding Destiny to the Mix

The transition to eBooks at Oakleaf was eased by Taylor’s experience with the Follett Platform. Taylor and the library staff rely on Destiny to enhance student reading levels. “I have been using Follett Destiny Discover® with my new classes to get them acquainted with eBooks,” she said, choosing high-interest titles for all reading levels.

Taylor provides instruction alongside teachers, preparing them for the types of Destiny messages they will receive and how to manage student reviews. “By the time I left Clay Hill,” Tammy says, “I felt that my third to sixth-grade students were proficient users of Destiny and, most importantly, engaged and motivated readers.”

Conclusion

With Follett Destiny and eBooks at Oakleaf Village Elementary, Kendrick and Taylor are confident in their students’ potential to become better readers, writers, critical thinkers, and collaborators. “Our students have so much promise, and we know we can promote learning and improve literacy across the board if we apply the same program we implemented at Clay Hill,” said Kendrick. “Those lessons are invaluable now as we help every student at Oakleaf become more digitally literate and develop the skills they’ll need for a successful future.”

Tracey Kendrick emphasized, “With eBooks and Destiny, struggling students felt a sense of equality and ownership, knowing they were growing and accomplishing goals as valuable as their peers.”

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