"Maria Pena raises her hand before her tutor even finishes asking most questions.

"Her tutor, Juana Leon, said it’s a drastic difference for the first-grade child who struggled with both reading and speaking English when school started in August.

"Like 20 percent of her classmates at South Clearfield Elementary, Pena comes from a primarily Spanish-speaking family.

"‘It’s hard to read,’ Pena said. ‘I don't remember the words.’

"Still, she said she likes reading more because of a special reading group with a tutor who helps her transition from Spanish to English….

"South Clearfield is trying to reach all students and improve their reading. This year it expanded its tutoring program so every child in every grade has 45 minutes of time in reading groups four days a week.

"Students like Leon who have a Spanish-speaking background go to a special bilingual tutor.

Though students like Pena are seeing dramatic improvements, such changes aren’t limited to just Spanish-speaking students.

"South Clearfield Principal Daren Allred accredits the reading program for improving his school’s reading scores across the board. There was enough improvement that the school passed the No Child Left Behind requirements last year.

"‘We’re making tremendous strides,’ he said. ‘We’re giving every child success in reading.’"