B.E.C.L. By-Lines

by Jane Ginn

It is with a heavy heart that I write the last B.E.C.L. by-line for this school year. On April 12, 2005, the Board of Trustees for the school district found it necessary to eliminate the B.E.C.L. program. These times are certainly not easy for anyone in the field of education. The ramifications of these budget cuts will be felt by many of our children and therefore will impact our future in terms of guaranteeing literacy for all. Perhaps a public outcry will provide the impetus to fund education properly. Only time will give us that response.

In June of 1993 Dr. Vrankovich, the current deputy superintendent, and I had no idea that we were writing a reading intervention program that would win so many accolades and impact so many students. The B.E.C.L. program has been honored to receive the Jack London Award for Educational Excellence given by Sonoma State University and the coveted Golden Bell given by the California School Boards Association. That recognition has enabled us to actually sell the program materials and training to districts within the county, the state and even outside California.

More importantly during the past 11 years we have had 3,728 first and second grade students participate in the program. Our first B.E.C.L. students are now seniors in high school. Rancho Cotate’s roster lists 47 of our original 175 students. I have maintained contact with several of them and they have wonderful aspirations for future careers in education, medicine, and business. I like to think that the B.E.C.L. program helped to start them towards their academic success.

Additionally, the team of B.E.C.L. teachers had the opportunity to provide Literacy Nights at all the sites for several years. These evenings of activities have focused on reading. I like to think that we have built an awareness of the importance of reading to guarantee student achievement.

It is my hope that we will be able to continue the program in at least one Title 1 school and I am confident that the Board of Trustees will reinstate the entire program if and when additional monies become available.

The B.E.C.L. teachers would like to personally thank each and every parent for your support during these past eleven years. Please continue to read to your child daily and encourage them to become independent readers.

Happy Reading!