Five students graduated from UT Permian Basin's graduate reading program this summer. They are, from left to right, top row: Rebecca Zavala, Michelle Johnson, Laura Bush and Hope Vinson; bottom row: Professor Roy Hurst, Professor Jeannine Hurst and Professor Rachel Juarez-Torres. Not pictured is student Penny Othold. As program coordinator, Jeannine Hurst chaired each of the thesis committees for these graduate students. The graduates investigated topics that had become personal interests over their course work. Zavala studied the use of eading strategies to build understanding of math word problems. Johnson tracked the effects of using grammar cards to enhance writing and editing skills. Bush investigated how interactive reading strategies enhanced primary students' reading scores. Vinson examined the effects of critical literacy in a first-grade classroom. Othold studied the influence of reader's theatre to build reading comprehension. 

The UT Permian Basin Reading Specialist Program enables teachers to reach a deeper level of teaching reading and literacy by focusing on student strengths and developing strategic thinking skills.

As the culminating experience at the end of the 36 hour program, students choose to complete an action research project or to write a thesis based on action research. This spring and summer, all five students chose to complete theses as a cohort.

“Students get to choose from their passion; I never choose for them,” said Jeannine Hurst, program coordinator. “We worked so closely together, and I am just so proud of them.”

UTPB Academy offers high chool students dual credit in university setting

With the new school year almost here, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin has some very good news for Odessa’s high school students.

“We are excited to offer a new program in conjunction with ECISD.  We are now offering dual credit courses for high school juniors and seniors,” explained Rey Lascano, UTPB’s director of continuing education. “Students will receive high school and university level credit for the same class through this program, called the UTPB Academy.”