JOPLIN, Mo. —
For Kaleb Hansen, an eighth-grade student at South Middle School who has autism, reading has been a challenge.
But with a new reading intervention program at South called Read 180, Kaleb has gone from a second-grade reading level to a sixth-grade reading level in about two years. As a result, he has been named a national Scholastic Inc. Read 180 award winner out of more than 400 nominations nationwide.
“I didn’t know if I was going to win, but I’m ready,” Kaleb said. “I surprised myself.”
The Read 180 program helps students like Kaleb with their reading comprehension skills, said his English teacher, Tashena Vickers. Students can read about different topics and use computers to learn and to play games that improve comprehension.
“We’ve had wild success with the program,” Vickers said. “The kids themselves get excited. You know it’s a good one if the students get excited about it. Reading gives him more options and skills for after school. Now there are more doors opened to him.”
With the improved reading skills, Kaleb now can participate in more general education classes with his peers and is excelling in them, his parents say. He also is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and practices for track in the Special Olympics.
“He’s had one B this year,” and the rest of his grades have been A’s, said Kaleb’s mom, Melanie. “I was shocked (about the award) to say the least. He reads at home now. There are books on the shelf as decoration, and now he actually reads them. I’ve caught him reading in his room at night.”
The program, in helping him to read, also has boosted his confidence for interacting with others, said Kaleb’s dad, Wesley.
“His interaction with people is more all around,” Wesley Hansen said. “He’s more self-confident. It’s exciting because it helps him with that feeling that he can do anything he puts his mind to.”
The school is planning an all-school assembly on May 15 to honor Kaleb’s achievement.
“I’m just very proud,” his mother said. “I just look forward to what he does in the long term with his life and where this class is going to take him.”
He likes to watch The Weather Channel and wants a career as a meteorologist.
Kaleb will continue with the Read 180 program in high school. He said he enjoys his reading class and working on computers.
“Since it’s my reading class, I like it when I come in here and get right down to work,” Kaleb said. “If I don’t understand, my teachers will help with the meaning.”
Reading list
KALEB HANSEN said his favorite subjects to read about are disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tornadoes. He also enjoys mystery and adventure books.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kaleb Hansen, an eighth-grader at Joplin South Middle School, on Wednesday works on a class reading assignment. A new reading intervention program has helped Hansen, who has autism, improve his reading comprehension skills. Globe | T. Rob Brown
Discussion
Student breaks through reading disability to win award
- Local News
-
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
Jasper County commissioners said Friday they hope to be ready to make a decision Tuesday on a proposal to renovate a former bank building for use as a new headquarters for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
-
Interfaith service explores different faiths
The interfaith service, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Joplin’s Landreth Park, will explore the theme of “Different Faiths — One Community.’’ The community service is held around the anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado, but organizers say the focus is not specifically on the tornado.
-
Duquesne mayor target of lawsuit from council member
Duquesne City Council member Lisa Daugherty recently filed a lawsuit against Mayor Denny White seeking unspecified damages for an investigation that he triggered just before White and Daugherty each ran for mayor.
-
Schifferdecker water park opening delayed week or two
Wet spring weather has delayed work on the Schifferdecker Aquatic Center, and it will not open over Memorial Day weekend, city officials said Friday. No date was given for the expected opening, but it could be delayed one to two weeks, according to Chris Cotten, Joplin parks and recreation director.
-
Foundation announces $10 million milestone
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas announced Friday that it has reached the once seemingly impossible amount of $10 million in cash assets. The foundation, which was created for charitable giving in 2001 with matching funds from Kansas Health Foundation, had $545,000 in assets by the end of its first year.
-
Hatred, resentment and retribution fueled bloody encounter at Rader’s Farm
Members of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment had been in Jasper County in large numbers on previous foraging missions. Coming from their outpost in modern-day Baxter Springs, Kan., the armed former slaves in Union uniforms had entered the property and homes of white residents to take their food or other useful supplies.
-
Ceremony to mark push for Civil War memorial
Organizers hope that today’s ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of a Civil War battle northwest of Joplin also will encourage support to finance a permanent memorial on the site.
-
Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
Miami plans annual surplus auction
The city of Miami’s annual surplus suction will be held beginning at 10 a.m. today at City Hall.
-
Pancake feed to benefit Scouts
Boy Scout Troop No. 904 will hold a pancake, biscuit and gravy breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Webb City Elks Lodge, 1010 N. Madison Ave.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
