#NNPA BlackPress
Birmingham Schools Creates Community Reading Groups to Boost Literacy for 3rd Graders
By Sym Posey The Birmingham Times Birmingham City Schools leaders took another step Monday to get all third graders reading on grade level or proficiency by the end of the year with a luncheon for PTA, neighborhood officers and community leaders at the Lincoln Professional Development Center. Pamela Williams, Ph. D, Interim Chief Academic and […]
The post Birmingham Schools Creates Community Reading Groups to Boost Literacy for 3rd Graders first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Mark Sullivan, Ed.D, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, encourages community groups and leaders to partner with school officials on literacy efforts. (Tommy Palladino, Birmingham City Schools)
” data-medium-file=”https://www.birminghamtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BCS1116-2-300×213.png” data-large-file=”https://www.birminghamtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/BCS1116-2.png” />
By Sym Posey
The Birmingham Times
Birmingham City Schools leaders took another step Monday to get all third graders reading on grade level or proficiency by the end of the year with a luncheon for PTA, neighborhood officers and community leaders at the Lincoln Professional Development Center.
Pamela Williams, Ph. D, Interim Chief Academic and Accountability Officer for Birmingham City Schools said the gathering was designed to create a community reading partner group.
“Any organization, community group, or partner that supports BSC [was here] to talk about the importance of reading and the impending Literacy Act requirement … What’s going to come out of this session today is a community reading partner group where we meet regularly, monthly… to be more strategic to cover all our bases to get our third graders where they need to be. “
Passed in 2019, The Alabama Literacy Act was created to help improve reading in Alabama public schools to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Starting this year school year, the Literacy Act requires third graders to reach a certain reading score on a statewide test — the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program — to go to fourth grade.
Groups that participated in Monday’s luncheon included several after school and non-profits like Page Pals, Better Basic, STAIR, and the Birmingham Public Library as well as several PTA committees from several surrounding Birmingham City Schools.
“Our goal [in Birmingham City Schools] is to ensure that as many students as we can, if not all, third graders are reading on grade level,” said Williams, adding, “If students are not reading on grade level there is a strong possibility, they could fail the third grade without exemptions for good cause.”
Exceptions include students who are special needs, students who are first year in the country or don’t speak English, she said.
About 54 percent of third graders at Birmingham City Schools need additional support to read on grade level, according to school officials.
BCS Superintendent Mark Sullivan, Ed.D., said it’s important to get community members “involved in literacy in Birmingham City Schools … Reading is a community responsibility. We are going to be prepared to ensure that our students are educated properly.”
Some of those steps include training teachers and ensuring that there is a 90-minute reading block for our students. “Many of our students, the only books that they have are the books they received from school,” he said. “We have implemented home libraries and extended our calendars to include intercession that allows students to get one-one tutoring an opportunity to make up work if they miss something.
He added, “we need to make sure our children are reading at least 15 minutes a day outside of school. We need our whole community involved in making sure our scholars are up to the challenges and standards set by the Alabama Literacy Act.” “Our faith community and neighborhood leaders are a vital part of this effort. They are already deeply engaged in their communities and have a platform to highlight how reading ensures our youth’s success in school and in life,” he said.
This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.
The post Birmingham Schools Creates Community Reading Groups to Boost Literacy for 3rd Graders first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
-
Community4 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
City Government1 week ago
Court Throws Out Law That Allowed Californians to Build Duplexes, Triplexes and RDUs on Their Properties
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
-
Business4 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
Community4 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Community3 weeks ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community3 weeks ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame