About Our Signature Program
Educational research is unequivocal that proficiency in reading by the end of third grade enables students to shift from learning to read to reading to learn, and to master the more complex subject matter they encounter beginning in the fourth grade. Students who fail to reach this critical milestone are a significantly greater risk of dropping out of school and failing to earn a high school diploma.
Yet, according to research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and national and state reading assessment data, two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders are not proficient readers. This disturbing statistic is made even worse by the fact that more than four out of every five low-income students miss this critical milestone.
In Worcester’s public schools, where fewer than half of third-graders read at grade level according to statewide testing and where 74% of students are from low-income families, the need for extra help with reading and other literacy skills is particularly acute. Research by the Children’s Literacy Foundation indicates that 61% of low income families have no age appropriate books in the household.
With financial support from the Abbvie Foundation, the Worcester Education Collaborative is responding to this crisis with a targeted literacy initiative: Reading Together. This project gives high quality books to children along with tools for their parents and caregivers to support them as they learn to read. Reading Together operates in seven targeted elementary schools and distributes new, high quality, high interest books to children. Each of four books that the children receive over the course of a year is aligned with the grade level curriculum. In addition to reinforcing academic skills and content, the books and related activities support important civic and personal traits such as cooperation, initiative, friendship, respect, and others.
What makes Reading Together different from other book donation and distribution programs is its focus on family literacy. Parents and caregivers are invited to our classroom reading sessions and the literacy activities booklet that accompanies each book helps make reading a family event that is fun for everyone.
Why is it so important for children to read proficiently by third grade? Why is it such a critical benchmark?
From kindergarten to third grade, children are learning to read; from fourth grade on, they are reading to learn. Those children who are not proficient readers will struggle academically and be less likely to catch up—compromising the likelihood of their graduating and in the long term, finding a meaningful career.
Reading Together complements the Worcester Reads literacy campaign, Worcester Public Library’s Everybody Ready to Read program and Libby and Lily, the Worcester Public Library’s bookmobiles, as well as Worcester Public Schools’ district-wide literacy plan. Reading Together also aligns with other efforts WEC facilitates to reduce chronic absenteeism, mitigate summer learning loss, and provide sound early childhood education experiences.
WEC uses evaluation tools from Wellesley College and from Project Innovation at the University of Alabama to measure the impact of Reading Together. Beyond what we are able to measure, however, is what happens when children who do not have easy access to age appropriate books are given copies of their own. The ideas, dreams and goals that books inspire and the worlds they open can’t necessarily be measured, but they can create an indelible, positive, impact on the children who read them.
Does Reading Together Work?
“Absolutely!
Not just because of the partnerships it creates among schools, the community, children and families. But also because it sends a valuable message to our students and families. Reading is important. People in the community care about you and want you to become a proficient reader. Books are things to be treasured—special enough to be given as a gift—from someone who’s never even met you.
I think of one student from the first year of the program, who was homeless and in and out of shelters. The family was encouraged to take things of value with them during the day so that they wouldn’t get taken (from the shelter) Among the things that this little boy kept in his backpack every day were the books he’d been given through this program. Does that say it all?”
Further Testimonials
“No one ever read to me when I was a kid. But that stops here and now with me. I make sure I read with my child every night before he goes to bed.”
“My daughter made me read her “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” every night for a month. Now she sleeps with it under her pillow.”
“Last year when my son was in kindergarten I read the books with him every night, so often that he knows them by heart. This year he’s reading those books to his little sister.”
Expanding our impact in the community
2020
Access to Summer Reading Materials
We know that children who report easy access to books also read more books. Many low-income students do not have access to high quality, age appropriate reading material in the home. Studies show the effect of reading books over the summer can have a large enough impact to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall (Kim, J.S., 2004, Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk).
For this reason, WEC is ensuring that all Reading Together students and their families receive a Summer Literacy Kit that includes:
· 10 engaging books featuring fictional, informational, and specialty themes
· “Think Sheets” for every title
· Summer Reading Journal to encourage reflection
· Colored pencils to inspire creativity and imagination
· A program guide for educators with implementation tips and family resources
We are grateful to the AbbVie Foundation and the Worcester Public Schools for their partnership in this endeavor. We anticipate Reading Together schools will be distributing the Summer Literacy Kits in early June.
2021
Partnerships with youth organizations
WEC distributed 13,000+ books towards a successful Reading Together program! This summer we collaborated with 8 partner organizations to bring high-quality books and guided activities to students enrolled in summer programs across Worcester.
Montage of videos and photos provided by WEC’s Communications Assistant, Heidy Coronel
Books that kids enjoy
Our summer literacy kits provide students with books and guided activities for them to enjoy and share with their families. We include curated book bundles related to STEM, Health & Wellness, School Readiness, English Nonfiction, Spanish Nonfiction. WEC also added a specially selected set of books to support social-emotional development in children.
Learn more about the youth organizations we worked with:
African Community Education (ACE)
Black Excellence Academy
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Latino Education Institute (L.E.I)
Many thanks to the AbbVie foundation for funding this program.
2022
Classroom visits
We provide reading assistants, books, classroom and take home activities, many thanks to AbbVie Foundation.
