BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – More Birmingham City Schools students are reading at grade level, according to new estimated early literacy numbers shared by the district.
Second grade is up two percentage points while third grade is remaining steady at nearly 80%.
“Majority of our second-graders: 64% are reading on grade level based on this test last year and now we have 66%. Then our third-graders remain steady at 78%,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, Birmingham City Schools superintendent.
District finalizing numbers, presents improvement plan
Birmingham City Schools says those estimated numbers will be finalized in July. At the last school board meeting, a plan was presented to get more students reading on grade level.
The approach varies by student need. Some students may need to target phonics and their sight words. Some students may need to prioritize vocabulary.
Sullivan says one of the biggest differences in student reading is when parents get involved.
“We say that all you have to do is read for 15 minutes with your child and that presumes that students have books at home and for many of our students, the only books that they have are the books provided by the school,” Sullivan said.
Summer reading support and resources
Birmingham City Schools sends students home with more books to encourage summer reading.
“Every summer, we partner with Scholastic and we provide backpacks (with books) to students so they can have at-home libraries,” Sullivan said.
District leaders say they are committed to providing the support each student needs.
“We are really concentrating on providing those additional supports which include at-home libraries, tutoring, summer camps, and we’ve already identified and are working with those students this week. As soon as we got the data back, we started working with those students in preparation for summer camp,” Sullivan said.
The Sensational Summer Learning Program begins June 15. Sullivan says the camp is free and transportation and meals are provided for students.
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