Eligibility into the LAUNCH program is based on the children’s fall KPA and LAUNCH pre-assessment scores, and is subject to parental approval. The 12 kindergarten students who exhibit the greatest need for ILA support, based on assessment scores and teacher recommendation, meet with the LAUNCH instructor for a 20-minute session per day (2 students at a time). The 2 to 1 student to teacher ratio allows each child to play an active role in the LAUNCH activities. During this time, the students participate in familiar storybook readings, word and language play, letter recognition, phonemic awareness activities, and sight word recognition. The 20-minute LAUNCH session is fast-paced and fun. The reading material is familiar and the activities are enjoyable; many are administered in a game format. Parental support is necessary in the success of the program, as brief homework assignments correlate with the classroom activities.

At Jarrettsville Elementary School, the LAUNCH Program is administered by Darlene Wontrop, Reading Specialist, and implemented by Vivian Wolfsheimer, Para-educator. The LAUNCH team and classroom teachers continually articulate about each student’s progress in the program. LAUNCH assessment scores and teacher recommendations determine the appropriate time to dismiss each student from the program. Once there is an opening in the program, a teacher may recommend another student who could benefit from this extra support.