Summer Reading Experiences

ALSDE Update

Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education, ALSDE

It’s summertime again and I sure hope everyone gets an opportunity to relax and recharge a bit after an exciting and productive school year. But of course, I am also thinking about the amazing young people who will fill our schools this summer. We are making gains with our students and summer provides another opportunity to pour into them with instruction, attention, and learning.

Various forms of reading and math camps around the state will provide many students with the extra push they need towards proficiency. For some, the skills they have already learned are reinforced and improved upon. In 2022, Alabama showed the nation its resilience when we were the only state in America to not decrease in reading scoring on the Nation’s Report Card, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, (NAEP). We are doing far too well to take our foot off the pedal now.

The Literacy Act has been in place since 2019; however, the retention portion of the law goes into effect this coming school year. This has of course caused some angst with teachers, principals, and parents alike.

As the law states, students who test below grade level in third grade reading can be held back… with some exceptions. The summer reading camps and services educators are providing across the state are the first line of support for so many students. I know the hard work will result in increased mastery of subject matter. Use of portfolio assessments, Individualized Educational Plans, and other Good Cause Exemptions will assist in many cases, but the students in summer reading camps will be the largest segment of that population.

No one wants students to be retained, but if they’re not going to be able to be successful in middle school and beyond, they need the requisite skills before they’re promoted. For students who are retained, the earlier they’re retained the better. They’re more resilient and they make more gains. By that, I mean educators are identifying struggling readers as early as kindergarten and first grade. We’ve notice larger numbers of students retained in first grade than other grades. That’s because principals and instructional leaders are involved. They’re identifying students early so they can go ahead and start off with the right supports, interventions, enrichments, and resources needed to create a more firm literacy foundation.

In your interactions with parents, I encourage you to remind them that, even though it’s summer, every student needs to come and pay attention, get rest at night, eat a good breakfast, and show up at summer camp well prepared.

And remember, the summer learning experience isn’t limited to summer reading camps. Encourage other parents to have a Summer Academic Plan. That may be helping them choose books to read, taking educational trips, or having some kind of academic enrichment over the summer months.

The summer learning experience is just a microcosm of the work you do all year long. Your commitment to these young people will yield great rewards. One student reading and opening a new world through books. One student feeling confident enough to reach their potential and achieve that goal! The work you do, every single day… is invaluable.

Every Child. Every Chance. Every Day… Even in the summer!