Chandler, AZ – May 16, 2017 – Natalie Cowell, an 8th grade student at Anderson Junior High School, has been named one of only 15 recipients of the prestigious 2017 180 Student Awards from global learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The awards, now in their 11th year, honor students across the United States for their significant math and literacy gains using intensive intervention programs READ 180, MATH 180 and System 44.
When Natalie joined Ms. Wood’s READ 180 class, she was several years behind in reading proficiency and extremely shy. She did not enjoy reading and struggled with comprehension. Despite these and other challenges, Natalie was determined to become a proficient reader at her grade level before leaving middle school. After three years in the program, Natalie reached her goal and increased her reading Lexile by 972 points. She now enjoys reading both at school and at home and has become more confident in all areas of her life, having realized that success is measured not only by standardized tests and grades, but also by her ability to set and reach appropriately challenging goals. Natalie aspires to attend the University of Arizona and then law school.
Natalie will receive a cash prize for furthering her education, while her nominator, Ms. Carol Lynn Wood, will receive HMH educational materials for her school or district.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Terry Locke, Press Relations
Chandler Unified School District Communications Department
Locke.Terry@cusd80.com
Hillary Creedon, Corporate Communications
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Hillary.Creedon@hmhco.com; 617 351 3804
