Reading Rate and Comprehension
Course Information
Dates: Held during the first few weeks of each semester, this class meets twice a week for one 50-minute session per day for a total of 11 sessions. This class is offered at various times during the day to accommodate students' schedules. Class sizes are limited to no more than 20 students.
By popular demand, Fall bonus session classes will begin Tuesday, October 21, and end by Thursday, November 20, 2008. Registration ends Tuesday, October 14.
Cost: $100
Nature of the Course
Reading is an intricate skill that must be applied to different kinds of material for different reasons. Efficient reading demands flexibility. This course trains students to use a variety of survey, reading, and self-pace techniques. Students learn to critically evaluate what they read and to respond in a way that allows them to read as quickly as possible yet still come away with a clearer grasp of the ideas they've discovered.
Student's Benefits
- Receive individualized instruction in small groups
- Directly apply the techniques to their regular reading assignments without additional homework
- Concentrate on skills most important to them and proceed at their own pace
Study Skills
Few students learn to read as well as they might without special training. Accordingly, this program is not just for poor students. This program is appropriate for any student desiring to improve reading performance to get the most out of his or her abilities. Many first year students prepare for success in college by fortifying some of the most critical skills needed for top academic achievement reading efficiency and comprehension. Upperclassmen headed for graduate studies have found that this course dramatically improved their reading performance as well.
Students should understand that this course differs from the traditional Learning Skills program in that it focuses on rate and comprehension, not on study skills. The goal is to extend the range of rates over which a student can read and to ensure that, at whatever rate, the comprehension and retention are satisfactory. It should also be noted that this is not a speed reading course.
Breakthrough Rapid Reading has further drills to develop reading speed. It is on reserve at Centennial Library for use by those who are enrolled in this course.
Course Outline
- Reading Speed (Variable Rates)
- Phrase Reading
- Scanning (Space and Vertical Reading)
- Comprehension and Retention
- Pre-Reading a Book
- Pre-Reading a Chapter (Reading for Theme and Main Ideas)
- Selective Reading/Structure/Retention
- Mental Summarization
- Evaluation
- Pre-test to determine rate and retention
- Post-test to determine rate and retention
What is the data from 2007-2008?
- A total of 92 students completed the course.
- 77% of the students tested at least doubled their reading rate score.
- 53% ended with reading rate scores of 610 - the highest measurable score on the test.
- 15% were tested as reading at least 1000 words per minute.
- 37% raised their comprehension score two or more grade levels or had the highest possible score on the test.
Registration
Students may register online for the section of their choice. Enrollment will remain open until the Tuesday before the Reading classes begin. Any payments after this deadline will incur a $35 late fee. If a student's schedule changes, the student is responsible to contact the Center for Lifelong Learning, which will find another section to better meet their needs.
No refunds will be issued after the registration deadline. If a student's schedule changes, the student is responsible to contact the Center for Lifelong Learning and find another section which will better meet their need. If a student wishes to withdraw, they must do so no later than one week before the reading classes begin, in which the course fee (minus a $35 processing fee) will be refunded.
Sections with insufficient enrollment will be canceled and students will be enrolled in another section. If the course time conflicts with a scheduled class, the course fee will be returned in full only if no other section will fit the student's schedule. A confirmation of the class meeting time and room location will be emailed to the student the week before the reading class begins.
Section Meeting Times Being Offered for FA08 bonus session
- 6:00 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m.
The Center for Lifelong Learning reserves the right to cancel a section or course due to insufficient enrollment.
