Fort Worth Star-Telegram from Fort Worth, Texas • 236

flit Kemp said think it has sparked a light with many educators throughout the PBS executives are currently considering additional achieved for two decades Kemp noted have to put on a dog and pony she said have to put on that our kids are good because they want America 1 to see the truth world and everyone thinks we do this but with everything stacked against us we Kemp added Part of the A second stumbling block involves lack of proper materials especially in poor districts A third obstacle concern teachers who face the challenge of students whose parents are constantly relocating thereby uprooting those children during the school year is the foundation of she said a reading program able to deal with that type of child and you have the tools in order to accomplish it crusade is ongoing want to be ahead of the Kemp explained got to ask yourself where are (these children) coming from? Look at the grade levels and see who is passing and if not Kemp said the impact should not be ignored believe that there will be Kemp added has to problem stems i i from those By Lori Elmore-Moon Special Features Writer How did one of the worst i'lementary schools in the state manage to turn the tide in a period of two years becoming one of Fort recognized campuses? The answer was revealed in a PBS Reading documentary that aired nationally during the summer and early fall A Tale of Two Schools is narrated by actor Morgan Freeman and follows the triumphs and tragedies of two classrooms at different grade schools struggling to teach their economically disadvantaged students to read A first grade class at Walton Elementary in Fort Worth was compared and contrasted to a Mississippi class of second graders Both teachers faced similar Both campuses encountered the challenges that come with limited resources and minimal parental involvement In Fort Worth Vanessa Kemp served as the instructional specialist over reading program when the documentary was filmed Kemp played a prominent role in the one-hour documentary as camera crews followed the progress specifically that of a 6-year-old boy named Tavares at Walton during the 2000-01 school year Today Kemp is vice principal at Dallas Park Elementary in the Crowley school district Like Bearden Elementary in Sumner Miss students were the victims of their insolvent environments is everywhere and people want to run but you run because Kemp said of all we have to recognize that we have a problem and how do we address it in For Walton it came through a controversial regimented program with an emphasis on phonics known as Reading Mastery The program aired locally in October and Kemp said received numerous calls from teachers in other districts seeking advice on implementation of a similar program in their schools Teachers in the Crowley school district were intrigued as well she said are kids here (in the district) who can not read and the teachers want to know what they need to do to get a Kemp said actually inspired districts to go opt and seek pro school districts unwilling to recognize the comprehension shortfalls within their classrooms Kemp said have to admit it first and you be in she said High Values High Standards And Now High School Vanessa Kemp broadcasts of the one-hour documentary In the past Walton Elementary had either been rated as acceptable or low-performing through an annual evaluation by the Texas Education Agency Yet by school end the annual analysis was impressive Walton Elementary received a recognized status an accomplishment that had not been Id fashioned 4805 NE Loop 820 Fort Worth TX 76 137 817-281-5155 vj vi-I A www glenviewchtislianschool oig 16 R1 TIO Star-Telegram Vherti-ang Section ttwwstartelegramcom Sunday December 7 2003 Join us for an Open House Information Session Monday February 2 2004 at 7 OOp 4 Sc i ft MATH! I Wooded 7 acre Campus features a Town Square Castle Theme Area Pioneer Village Space Station Nature School and Trails I Live Animal Barnyard Greenhouse Broadcast Studio Computer Lab Gym Expandod Classrooms Pre-School 1 0th Grade (1 1 th and 1 2th grades added in subsequent years) Dual Academic Tracks Fine Arts and Athletics Homcschool Umbrella Program Spiritual Emphasis Leadership Development Established in 1972 AC SI and SACS Accredited 4621 Park Springs Blvd Two Blocks South of 1-201 www chlldrantunlviraltyCMi mill brljhttCchlldriniunlviriltycow i A Giftod and Talented Applied Learning Curriculum lor '51pr 1 2 year olds through 6th Grade Stressing a hands on instiur linn "i In Science and Computer Technology Before and After School Care Public School Transportation and Extracurricular Activities available F5.