Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: “Focus on Literacy,” MBU’s Education Conference
“Focus on Literacy,” MBU’s Education Conference
October 25, 2003
Twenty students in a class…twenty different reading levels—professional and student educators from around the region sought tactics to increase literacy on an individual basis at “Focus on Literacy,” MBU’s Seventh Annual Education Conference.
Held on Saturday, October 25, over one hundred professional and student educators attended the conference, including thirty teachers from area districts.
Participants sat in on a panel discussion on literacy moderated by MBU President, Dr. Alton Lacey, and presented by literacy specialists Tina Risse, Dr. Elaine Woodson, Martha McAdams and BJ Whemer. Participants also attended two sessions, choosing from classes such as Differentiated Reading Instruction, Collaboration Key to Student Success in Reading, and Essential Learning Strategies.
Sessions were led by educators with experience in early, middle and secondary education, as well as leadership in Core Literacy Team, Readership Academies, Missouri Assessment Program, and STARR (Select Teachers As Regional Resources) membership. The STARR program is based on the concept of “Teachers Teaching Teachers” and provides professional classroom-tested training to help teachers use authentic instruction, performance-based assessment and Missouri's new academic performance standards.
“Not all students come to school with the same literacy skills. Many children have parents who read to them while modeling book handling skills, word attack strategies, and how to comprehend written text,” says Dr. Marsha Staley, Assistant Education Professor for MBU. “Unfortunately, some students come to school without these skills and need additional help from teachers.”
“It’s important for teachers to continue their training in literacy so that they can be an educator that improves and fosters reading achievement. Reading is key to success in all subject areas,” says Kathleen Wendt, Director of Teacher Education Certification Advising.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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