Parents, teachers, care providers, and lawmakers generally agree on at least one thing: Reading is important for children. When parents read to their children, they can help their kids develop language and vocabulary skills and lay the foundation for them to learn, grow, and thrive long into the future.
"Reading is the foundational skill," says Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director of Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC), an organization committed to advancing excellence and equity in education for students at Worcester Public Schools (WPS).
To highlight this point, WEC launched the Raising Readers Together Initiative, a citywide collaborative literacy initiative in Worcester. Read on for more information about this initiative and its impact on local families, teachers, care providers, and children.
Most Third-Graders in Worcester Struggle to Read Proficiently
Reading proficiency is commonly used to measure a child's ability to read, write, and comprehend text. In 2024, only about 25% of third-graders in Worcester met proficiency standards on the English Language Arts MCAS assessment, says WEC Senior Deputy Director Julia Kilgore. Nationally, the figure rises to about 50%.
In a study on reading skills and their influence on high school graduation, researchers found one in six kids who can't read proficiently in third grade don't graduate high school on time. Among these kids, 23% fail to finish high school.
"Attaining the benchmark for reading proficiently by third grade is important for kids because at this point, the curriculum shifts from learning to read to reading to learn," Jen notes. "If a child struggles with reading, they're going to struggle with every subject at school."
Addressing the Literacy Crisis in Worcester
Through Raising Readers Together, WEC, along with Edward Street and other local and state partners, are taking a holistic approach to Worcester's literacy crisis. We're searching for ways to increase literacy achievement among children from birth and fostering a culture of literacy across Worcester.
As part of Raising Readers Together, WEC's spring 2024 programming included:
- A community screening of "The Right to Read," a documentary focused on an activist, a teacher, and two American families committed to helping young children enjoy the right to read
- A family reading event held at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts that provided 18 families with tools and resources to foster literacy at home for children in grades K-3
- Partner reading events held at partner sites across the city at African Community Education, Vernon Hill Elementary School, Friendly House, and Boys & Girls Club to teach parents and caregivers about WPS's curriculum and how to teach children to read at home
Previously, in March and April 2023, WEC hosted a Lunch & Learn series exploring the national reading crisis and how it relates to Worcester's families, care providers, educators, and children. The series consisted of three sessions, with a total of 90 attendees that included local education practitioners, leaders of community-based organizations, and policymakers.
Want to Help Young Children Become Better Readers?
WEC provides these best practices for parents to help their young children learn essential reading skills:
1. Communicate with Teachers
Get updates from teachers regarding a child's reading progress. If a child has trouble reading, parents and teachers can work together to help them out. At the same time, parents and teachers can identify and mitigate any barriers that hamper a child's ability to learn.
2. Read Together
Spend time reading with a child — it's a fun and educational experience for all involved. For a parent or care provider, the experience allows them to connect with a child. And for a child, it provides them with a positive experience that furthers their language, social, and emotional development.
3. Discuss the Books You Read
Talk about the books you read with a child to help them build their language skills and develop empathy and emotional awareness.
4. Visit the Library
Stop by the library to read books with a child. You can also help a child get their own library card, which they'll be able to use to check out books to read at home. "The library is a tremendous resource that's much more than just books on shelves," Jennifer points out.
5. Use Home Language Texts
If a child speaks a language other than English at home, use home language texts to engage with them. A study published in February 2022 shows that utilizing a student's home language to teach them about reading is "one of the most beneficial practices for multilingual learners." This is due in part to the fact that a student can transfer reading skills from one language to another.
6. Participate in School Activities
Show your support for book projects, volunteer reading programs, and other school activities to support a child's literacy development. These activities also give parents and care providers opportunities to have fun with kids.
7. Make Your Voice Heard
Join school committees and councils to share your concerns, questions, and feedback regarding early literacy. This allows parents and care providers to drive awareness about childhood literacy issues. Also, parents and care providers can work with school officials to find solutions to these problems.
8. Follow Academic Standards
Track academic standards and literacy-related benchmarks based on a child's age. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides frameworks for learning standards. If a child doesn't meet literacy standards for their age group, it may be beneficial to discuss this with their school.
9. Find Out How a Child Learns to Read
Understand how a child learns to read and the challenges they may face along the way. DESE provides the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy that highlights how kids become readers. This framework provides insights into areas a parent or care provider can focus their efforts on teaching a child how to read.
10. Stay Informed
Continue to discuss a child's literacy goals with teachers. A parent or care provider can keep track of these goals and make sure their child stays on track. If a child encounters difficulties, a parent or care provider can work with teachers to adjust these goals or set new ones.
WEC also offers several at-home literacy activities for parents and children, such as:
- Book Swaps: Trade books with other families from school or within the community, read them with kids, and discuss these books with others who have already read them.
- Movie Nights: Read a book, then watch the movie version of it as part of a family movie night.
- Game Nights: Play charades, board games, or card games and have a child read the directions before the game begins and as the game progresses.
- Recipes: Read the ingredients and each step as you prepare a recipe with a child.
- Bedtime Stories: Finish each day by reading a bedtime story with a child.
Help Us Raise Readers Together
WEC is in the early stages of the initiative and focused on developing benchmarks and hosting additional events to promote early literacy in Central Mass. It's exploring opportunities to work with organizations, businesses, and parents in many sectors, Jennifer says.
"People who want to get involved can do so in many ways," Jennifer notes. "There's a role for everyone, in every sector."
Read WEC's July 2024 report for full details about the Raising Readers Together Initiative's successes to date.
To learn about literacy activities for parents and communities and other ways to support early literacy, watch the full WEC Lunch and Learn Series presentation video and WEC's presentation on Literacy Support in Worcester.
For more information about early literacy initiatives and programs in Central Mass, read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.