All articles tagged with #literacy
Lee Child advocates for including thrillers in the UK school curriculum to boost children's interest in reading, emphasizing the importance of engaging literature to foster literacy and reduce reoffending through prison literacy programs. He is involved in literacy sessions at prisons, aiming to create a regional model to improve literacy and community safety.
A group of prominent authors, including Sir Philip Pullman and Kate Mosse, are advocating for automatic library cards for all newborns in the UK, aiming to promote literacy and early engagement with libraries by linking membership to birth registration, with support from the CPU and potential funding from government departments.
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a record $256 million in Education Innovation and Research grants to improve literacy, with a focus on evidence-based instruction, expanding education choice, and empowering states, especially in rural areas, marking a significant increase in state-led initiatives and innovative approaches.
California has passed Assembly Bill 1454, a comprehensive literacy law focusing on evidence-based reading instruction, including phonics, with teacher training and new textbooks, aiming to improve literacy rates among students, especially in early grades, supported by significant funding and ongoing implementation efforts.
'Reading Rainbow' is returning with a new host, Mychal Threets, and celebrity guests for a short-form series on KidZuko, aiming to promote literacy among children, after being a beloved PBS show since 1983 and winning multiple awards.
Reading Rainbow, the classic PBS children's show, is returning as a digital series on Sony's KidZuko platform, hosted by Mychal Threets, with new episodes starting October 4, marking a nostalgic revival amid challenges faced by public media.
AI is transforming how people engage with reading, offering shortcuts like summaries and analyses that may reduce motivation to read for pleasure or personal growth, while also contributing to a decline in reading habits across all age groups, potentially impacting cognitive development and the enjoyment of literature.
A recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics reveals a significant increase in the number of U.S. adults with low literacy skills, rising from 19% in 2017 to 28% in 2023. This widening gap between high-skilled and low-skilled individuals is notable, although the U.S. remains relatively stable compared to other countries, many of which also experienced declines. The survey assesses literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills across over two dozen countries, primarily OECD members.
A recent OECD survey reveals that approximately 20% of adults aged 16 to 65 in wealthy countries have literacy and numeracy skills comparable to those of primary school students. The study highlights a concerning decline in adult literacy over the past decade.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is at odds with teachers unions and superintendents over literacy and MCAS testing. Healey is seeking legislative authority to update literacy curriculums, citing a decline in reading scores, while the unions criticize the "one-size-fits-all approach." She also opposes a ballot question to eliminate MCAS as a graduation requirement, emphasizing the need to assess student performance.
A study found that early vocabulary size in children is genetically linked to later literacy, cognition, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk. Genetic factors underlying vocabulary size in infancy and toddlerhood were identified, with associations found between vocabulary size and literacy abilities, general cognition, and ADHD-related measures. The study emphasizes the importance of early language development in predicting future behavior and cognition, highlighting the need for more data collection efforts during infancy and toddlerhood.
Microsoft has launched its Reading Coach as a standalone app, part of the Reading Progress suite, to help students improve literacy using AI for personalized feedback on reading scores and pronunciation. The tool will be free for users with a Microsoft account and will flag frequently mispronounced words. Educators can integrate the program in classrooms through learning platforms, track student feedback, and generate content for lessons. Additionally, new features for Microsoft’s Teams for Education app will help educators tailor content for digital learning platforms using AI.
Amy Dickinson shares the origin story of "A Book on Every Bed," a literacy campaign encouraging families to give books to children on Christmas morning. She recounts her own literacy journey and highlights the importance of having at least one adult who instills the gift of reading. Several literary figures, including Jacqueline Woodson, LeVar Burton, Dr. Carla Hayden, and Brad Meltzer, share their personal stories of how books shaped their lives. Dickinson emphasizes the joy of giving books and the power of literacy to create human connections.
Ann Mincks, an English Language Learner teacher at Des Moines Public Schools, has been named the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Mincks, who comes from a family of educators, was recognized for her dedication to her students and her commitment to their success. She works with students new to Des Moines and the United States, teaching them English and helping them prepare for life outside of school. Governor Kim Reynolds praised Mincks for her use of evidence-based literacy practices and her impact on students' reading abilities.
LeVar Burton, actor and literacy advocate, will host the 74th National Book Awards ceremony after Drew Barrymore was dropped as the original host. Burton, known for his roles in "Roots" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," previously hosted the awards in 2019 and is beloved in the book world for his promotion of childhood literacy. He has also been involved in efforts to confront book bans and is the executive producer of the documentary "The Right to Read." The National Book Awards, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the United States, will take place on November 15th.