More than homework: Akron Public Schools sending home books to foster a love of reading
Akron Public Schools will be sending packs of books to 8,600 students this summer, but these books are more than just homework.
The district is spending grant money to help foster a love of learning at home for Akron kids by buying books to help students start or build up their at-home libraries.
Akron learning specialist Toan Dang-Nguyen said the goal is to build a culture of reading in homes, not just at school or at the library.
"We know that the home library serves the purpose of really encouraging our children to read," Dang-Nguyen said. "We know that much research has shown that when kids have access to books that they can increase vocabulary, development and comprehension skills. We want to cultivate, encourage a culture of literacy (that) really sends a message that having books in the home, that reading, is an important part of family life."
Literacy has continued to be a struggle for many Akron students, especially during the pandemic. Just over one in four third grade students last year scored proficient on the state English language arts test.
Akron is purchasing a package of books from Scholastic Inc. for every child in 21 schools that are struggling academically, according to state test scores, and as a result qualify for federal grant money to help improve.
The $226,672.30 in federal school improvement dollars — allocated by the state and separate from the stimulus money the district is also receiving to address learning loss after the height of the pandemic — must be spent on something that supplements the existing curriculum and has to be spent quickly.
Christine Sims, an Akron schools coordinator for school improvement, said the district learned just a few weeks ago it would be receiving the money, which has to be spent by June 30.
She said the district saw the money as an opportunity to provide a service directly to students, one aimed at increasing literacy through access to books.
"We knew we wanted to use the money to purchase texts and get books in the hands of kids for summer reading," Sims said.
Students who next year will be in grades one through 12 will receive about five books, although the number may vary per grade. Scholastic sells the books as a package deal, so they have already been pre-selected, but Dang-Nguyen said they represent diverse voices so students can see themselves in the materials.
In future years, she said, the district hope to expand the program with additional grant money to allow students to choose their books, much like they do at schools that have Scholastic book fairs.
The books won't be required reading, but Dang-Nguyen said the hope is principals will find ways to incorporate the books into learning early next year.
She said the district is encouraging principals to promote the program by telling students, "You're getting this summer reading books and come back and share at the beginning of the year."
"We would encourage buildings you know, to as the books are being sent, for principals to promote in the buildings to say, you're getting this summer reading books and, come back and share at the beginning of the year," she said. "But I think we want to foster that love of reading, you know, intrinsically."
Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: APS sending home books to foster a love of reading for 8,600 students
