The goal of the NM Lions Crane Reading Foundation (NMLCRF) is to ensure that every child in the state has a chance to read proficiently. About 35% of children in New Mexico need glasses. Our program is designed to identify these potential problems and offer a solution so that every child has good vision and is able to both read and learn. To accomplish our goals, we first conduct eye screenings on school age children to see if the child needs to see a professional eye doctor. We inform parents of the potential problem, and if the family is not covered by insurance or Medicaid and is financially needy, NMLCRF will make arrangements to pay for the exam and any glasses that may be prescribed.
After the student’s vision is verified, we use computer based software developed by Mindplay Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. Their phonics based computer program ‘speaks’ to the student via earphones and allows the student to work at their own pace until they achieve a much higher level of reading skill. This reading software addresses all five of the critical areas of effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We have a Reading Laboratory, currently located at Camino Real Middle School (CRMS) in Las Cruces, which can accommodate up to 25 students at a time. The class sessions usually last 30-45 minutes and the students should invest four hours per week. After 80 sessions (40 hours), the average student should advance two grade levels in both reading speed and comprehension. For further information, please feel free to contact any of the NMLCRF personnel listed below:
1. Ms. Cathy Waters, Reading Laboratory Director
Cell Phone: (575-640-5020)
E-Mail: catrog1@comcast.net
2. Eldon Steelman, Secretary
Phone (575-522 3166)
Cell (575-644-5796)
E-Mail eldon@zianet.com
3. George Mulholland, President
Phone (575-526-3708)
Cell (575-312-1316)
E-Mail) georgemulholland@comcast.net
The mission of the NM Lions Crane Reading Program is to improve the present very low rated reading achievement for K-12 students in New Mexico by the introduction and use of its reading program throughout the New Mexico School system.
2900 Karen Drive