Sanctioned To Read

“There is a direct correlation between juvenile crime and academic success”, stated Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. who was instrumental in establishing the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Sanctioned To Read program. In fact, many studies indicate that a common thread among juvenile offenders is their inability to succeed in academics.

Recognizing the need to break this cycle, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court has established a program under the Orange County Teen Court umbrella – Sanctioned To Read. It is currently in its seventh year of existence and has proven to be a great success. Subsequently, the program has gained such a distinctive reputation for its effectiveness in raising reading scores that the Ninth Circuit has also established a Sanctioned to Read program in Osceola County. The purpose of the program is to achieve literacy and improve reading skills for each defendant sentenced to the program. The ability to read and comprehend is a fundamental skill necessary to becoming not only a successful student, but it is also a ticket to becoming a productive citizen in our community.

The program is funded through Orange County’s Teen Court program at no cost to the participants or their families. Youth who participate in the program are ordered into Sanctioned to Read by a Juvenile Judge as a condition of probation or referred by the Orange County Teen Court program. Referrals are also accepted from the other juvenile divisions such as Truancy, Drug, and Dependency Courts as well.

What is Sanctioned to Read?

Sanctioned to Read is an individualized, highly motivational, diagnostic and prescriptive reading program. Each child is provided with a distinctive plan of action or “prescription.” It is not a one-size-fits-all program. The program helps youth master reading skills by using an innovative curriculum and is designed to make learning a positive experience.

What is the goal of the program?

The goal is to help students build strong academic skills while they develop the desire to learn and the confidence to succeed. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court is committed to improving the reading skills of those youth that are involved in the juvenile court system. “If the Court fills in the missing educational links for these youth, they will be given the opportunity to succeed in school and in life. We have to break the cycle. We must catch juvenile offenders early on”, stated Chief Judge Perry.

How does it work?

In the first through third grade, students concentrate on learning to read. From that point on, school revolves around reading to learn. So, if any basic skill gets lost, learning takes a back seat to frustration.

Sanctioned To Read provides after-school tutoring sessions located at theThomas S. Kirk Juvenile Justice Center. Sessions generally last for one hour and the students must attend a minimum of two times per week up to a maximum of four times for a total of 40 hours. Dale Robertson, the Reading Program Coordinator, oversees the program and provides the tutoring; he has extensive academic experience, from teaching youth in other countries, to teaching at the University of Central Florida Writing Center.

Students who participate in the Sanctioned To Read program begin with interactive diagnostic testing that allows tutors to pinpoint the specific areas in which each student struggles or has mastered. The testing is conducted at the Thomas S. Kirk Juvenile Justice Center. Then, an individual prescription is designed for each student that helps the youth improve at least one full grade level in reading during his or her first 40 hours of instruction. After years of frustration in the classroom, the youth will taste success by finally being able to master skills necessary to completing lessons across the curriculum in their own comfort level. This will set a whole new pattern for learning and ultimately, a whole new pattern for life.

What is the Curriculum?

The methods used in the Sanctioned To Read program are structured in a step-by-step management system designed to allow the youth maximum growth in a minimum time frame. Many of the materials that are utilized in the program are self-paced and are designed to be used independently. As the student progresses, he or she is moved up by grade levels, according to his or her abilities and mastery of the material. Tutors encourage the youth and facilitate the learning process providing individual assistance.

Who Can Participate?

Youth who participate in the program are all court ordered by a Juvenile Judge or Magistrate. This is usually as a condition of probation or a sanction as ordered by the Orange County Teen Court.

Success?

"The community needs to ensure that juvenile offenders receive the skills necessary to succeed,” stated Chief Judge Perry. “This program will do just that. It will give the youth in our community a chance to learn under the arm of the Court."

"Reading competence is an important part of a child's path to self-respect and self-worth. The Sanctioned to Read Program will provide us with an effective tool to raise our children's self-esteem and assist us in knocking down barriers to academic success. Naturally, a better citizen is molded and a more effective taxpayer and future voter is created,” stated Judge Jose Rodriguez.

Once the basic reading skills are firmly in place, their self esteem will be higher. The youth will feel more confident about school, which will afford them the opportunity of success. The Judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, through the Orange County Teen Court Program, are committed to seeing that the youth sentenced by the Court achieve literacy and improve their reading skills.

“Learning is its own exceeding great reward.”
William Hazlitt

Contact Information
Reading Program Coordinator
Thomas S. Kirk Juvenile Justice Center
2000 E. Michigan Street, Orlando, Florida 32806

407-836-9313

Orlando Sentinel - October 16, 2003

Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida