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Dollar General Awards Three Local Schools $135,000 For Fast ForWord

The computers in the media center at A.L. Mebane Middle School in Alachua are being equipped with the Fast ForWord learning program. The computer-based program is a part of Superintendent Owen Roberts' language development initiative.
The computers in the media center at A.L. Mebane Middle School in Alachua are being equipped with the Fast ForWord learning program. The computer-based program is a part of Superintendent Owen Roberts' language development initiative.

The Dollar General Literacy Program awarded $135,000 to three schools in Alachua County to fund Fast ForWord, a program aimed at increasing cognitive and language skills of local students.

The donation will provide Alachua Elementary School, W.W. Irby Elementary School and A.L. Mebane Middle School with $45,000 each. A check for the amount was presented to the middle school Wednesday.

Fast ForWord uses computer-delivered brain fitness exercises designed to improve language and reading competency in students.

The exercises help strengthen the memory, attention and processing skills of students, according to a letter sent to parents at Alachua Elementary School.

The letter said the program's expected outcomes include increased self-esteem and a new excitement toward learning.

According to Owen Roberts, superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools, the program is distinctive because it aims to re-map the cognitive processes of the brain, or increase neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to changes in the strength of communication between neurons, or in the function in synapses, which is how neurons communicate, said Dr. Darragh Devine, director of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience program at the University of Florida.

Roberts said the implementation of the program is part of a five-year language development initiative, one he hopes all elementary schools in the county will eventually be a part of.

Manda Bessner, principal of A.L. Mebane Middle School, said she believes Fast ForWord is beneficial because it bridges the gap between students with different reading levels while also increasing their confidence in the classroom.

“I think there are certain parts of the brain [of students with lower reading levels] that may not be as developed as other kids’ are,” Bessner said. “So, I don’t think they’re ready to maybe pay as much attention to detail. This program forces them to actually focus and exercise some of those muscles in their brain that are going to help them be more successful.”

Bessner also said the program helped students who were afraid to participate in class become more engaged and helped them to answer critical thinking questions that go beyond the who, what, when, where and why format.

“Language development is that very pivotal base to education,” said Eva Copeland, principal at Alachua Elementary School. “And [to] just give our kids that language development will give any child a leg up.”

Since it was first established in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to help nearly six million students achieve their literacy goals and continued education, according to a Dollar General press release.

Alain Arrendell, director of the Dollar General Distribution Center in Alachua, called reading a fundamental building block of any education system.

“When someone learns how to read, they will go on to get a high school education or the equivalent,” Arrendell said. “That is something that is impacting their lives for a lifetime, something no one can take away from them.”

Kristina is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.