Local Initiatives Improve Student Literacy, Encourage Summer Reading

Although this summer is coming to an end, students in Prince George's County are encouraged to continue learning through reading programs offered in their communities.

The summer reading programs will help them maintain their literacy skills while they're out of school, an integral educational skill according to Irene Briggs, associate director for Prince George's County libraries.

"It's so important for our kids to continue reading, to keep them grounded," Briggs said.

Up to 500 students in the county had the opportunity to earn money in return for their reading as part of one of the programs, "5 Gets You 25." The LUKE Foundation, a non-profit based out of Bowie, partnered with five public schools—Columbia Park, Rogers Heights, William Paca, Carmody Hills and Cooper Lane—for this pilot program. It was open to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, offering $5 for each novel they read, complete with a 1.5 page book report. The maximum they can earn is $25.

The program is coming to an end this month, and was about three-quarters filled in early July. Because it was their first run, the program was only open to students at the particular schools above. There are plans to expand it this fall.

Other schools have issued their own summer reading lists to keep students engaged over the summer, as a course requirement. Karen Scott, Ph.D, a principal at Jericho Christian Academy, believes the summer is just as important as the rest of the school year, and can be easily overlooked.

"If students aren't engaged academically [over the summer], they can lose everything," Scott said. "You bring their reading skill levels up when they are involved in summer reading programs, especially their comprehension when you assign book reports with it."

As a parent, Scott said she did the same with her children to keep them engaged at home over the summers.

Although students of the Riverdale Park and University Park area schools did not have the "5 Gets You 25" program, they were not without options. In addition, there are local libraries in the county whose summer reading programs have stood strong for more than 20 years, with participation rates getting higher each year. About 414 students are signed up for the entire county at 19 different libraries, as opposed to the number of students in the public schools mentioned above.

Nonetheless,  public libraries still revamped their summer reading program in the last four years and created more events, awards and activities for readers, which include all children, pre-schoolers, teens and adults. There is no monetary incentive, but grand prizes are offered at a drawing at the end of the program. Participants can enter the drawing multiple times with each book they read; one of the grand prizes includes an Xbox.

These initiatives are dedicated to give continuous learning opportunities to students despite any lack of resources. The public library budget cuts, for example, surfaced this year and most recently caused all the libraries to close on Sundays.  But Briggs said the libraries will continue to focus feverishly on improving the literacy of students.

"We consider ourselves as part of the educational system," Briggs said. "Budget cuts have not impacted the literacy in our area, because we know how important it is that students keep reading."

The library summer reading program ends August 16.