"Interim Davenport Schools Superintendent Norbert Schuerman and School Board President Patt Zamora will travel to Des Moines today to accept a "Breaking Barriers to Learning and Teaching" Award from the Iowa Department of Education. … The award is being presented to the Davenport Community Schools to recognize a 20 percent improvement in reading scores among Hispanic eighth-graders.

"‘The district recognizes the critical importance of reading achievement in supporting student success not only in literacy skills, but in other academic areas as well,’ Schuerman said. ‘Our students and staff have worked hard to improve reading achievement among all groups and across all grades. Weְre proud of our special success with this particular group.’

"The district has implemented numerous programs to help students improve their reading ability. This has included focus lessons, the Reading First program, setting aside time for uninterrupted reading, professional development for teachers and more.

"The district also has strong programs in place in terms of supporting students who are learning the English language. A number of [student] groups targeted by NCLB are beginning to see gains in closing the achievement gap in both reading and math — especially at the fourth-grade level, officials said."