Introduction to the Crisis
Only 31% of fourth-grade students in the U.S. are at or above the proficiency level for the nation’s reading assessment, the National Assessment of Educational Progress said. Add to that, a new report released in August by the University of Florida found that people don’t read for fun anymore- only 16% of Americans do.
The Problem at Hand
So how can we ensure the next generation learns to read and likes it? Many parents face the challenge of getting their children to develop a love for reading. “I wasn’t happy with the way she was reading. She didn’t like reading, would always find excuses not to read,” said Jakeera Jourdan, the mother of 10-year-old Jahara. “Not fun at all, not liking to read," Jahara said. "Not wanting to read.”
A Solution Emerges
But Jahara said that all changed when her school’s after-school program told her mom about New Worlds Reading. It’s a free at-home literacy delivery program for Florida students in VPK through 5th grade who are not yet reading at grade level. Ten-year-old Faustino Gomez was one of those students. He moved from Argentina to Florida. “I did not know any word and I was always sad, and when I would go to school, I would be like, ‘Get me out of here, please, please, get me out of here,’ and when it was Friday, it felt so good,” he said.
How the Program Works
His mother, Carolina, was introduced to the program through the school. She was able to pick nine books for the school year. Each book arrives with a guide in the parents’ preferred language to help them teach their children how to read. From there, Magda Morice with New Worlds Reading, said the options were endless. “Adventure books, science books, fiction books, nonfiction books,” she said. When asked what his favorite book was, Faustino said, “That’s a hard one; it should be ‘Dog Man’ or ‘Bad Guys.’"
Impact on Students
Jahara said her favorite books were “Babysitters Club" and Animal Rescue Friends.” For Jahara, reading is now something she looks forward to. “It made me excited to get a package at my front door with my name on it for me,” she said. The Jourdan family has now made reading a part of their daily routine. They read together, most times before bed, and sometimes, Jahara said she sneaks in some extra chapters. “She [mom] might not know it, but when she goes back downstairs, I take my light from under my pillow, and I start reading books in the dark,” she said.
Bringing Confidence Back
For Faustino, it’s brought his confidence back and has become his favorite rainy day activity. “This program helped me a lot in reading because before I thought this wasn’t for me," he said. "I thought this was impossible, that it was for people, it just, this wasn’t for me. But when I joined the program, I realized I could do both things, play soccer and read.” The program is available through any public or charter school in Florida. Parents with students at or below 5th grade who are not reading at grade level just have to apply.
Conclusion
The decline in reading proficiency among students is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Programs like New Worlds Reading are taking steps in the right direction by making reading fun and accessible for children. By providing free at-home literacy delivery programs, these initiatives are helping to bring the love of reading back to the next generation. It is essential for parents, educators, and the community to come together to support such programs and ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop a love for reading.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current state of reading proficiency in the U.S.?
A: Only 31% of fourth-grade students in the U.S. are at or above the proficiency level for the nation’s reading assessment. - Q: What is New Worlds Reading?
A: New Worlds Reading is a free at-home literacy delivery program for Florida students in VPK through 5th grade who are not yet reading at grade level. - Q: How can parents apply for the New Worlds Reading program?
A: Parents with students at or below 5th grade who are not reading at grade level can apply through any public or charter school in Florida. - Q: What types of books are available through the New Worlds Reading program?
A: The program offers a wide range of books, including adventure books, science books, fiction books, and nonfiction books. - Q: What is the goal of the New Worlds Reading program?
A: The goal of the program is to help children develop a love for reading and improve their reading proficiency.
