Mary Anne Doyle received the Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Award for faculty at a ceremony at the state Capitol on April 16.

Doyle, a professor of curriculum and instruction, was selected for the award for her work in implementing the Reading Recovery program in Connecticut schools.

Reading Recovery is a program for children "at risk," who are experiencing difficulty with reading. The program involves intensive one-on-one help for students to improve their reading ability and self-confidence, so that they are able to return to a classroom at or above grade level. Most do not require further special assistance in reading.

"Mary Anne has demonstrated over the years that she is a leader in the field of reading," says Thomas Weinland, professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. "Her work is an outstanding example of partnership between the University and the state, serving the children of Connecticut.

Doyle received training in Reading Recovery methods at the national training center in Columbus, Ohio, five years ago and since then has run a training program for teachers, in order to put those methods into effect in Connecticut schools.

Her project has grown to include more than 50 school systems, training 147 teachers, and has worked directly with 2,214 school children across the state.

Doyle chaired the Northeast Regional Conference of Reading Recovery in Hartford, in 1995; she is a member of the Reading Recovery international leadership team; and is president-elect of the Reading Recovery Council of North America.

Usha R. Palaniswami