SFA

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : June : 20

SFA
By Kelly

I taught for a year at a school that used SFA as their reading program. I know that it was successful for them in improving overall reading scores but as a classroom teacher I really did not like the program. It was too
scripted and took a lot of spontaneity out of the classroom. The kids really didn't mind it because it was predictable.
I know the research has shown that the program is highly successful in high poverty areas, again I think it is because of how structured it is. Another reason I think it is successful is because basically the entire school shuts down for 90 minutes a day for just SFA

and one entire staff member is dedicated to ensuring it run smoothly. In my opinion if you put that effort and money into something it will work regardless if it is a great program or not.

I will end with, while it was a program that showed some success at the school it was 90% of my decision to leave that school, I hated teaching the program.