SARASOTA — Though reading scores are on the rise in Sarasota County, one organization is looking to raise the district's third-grade proficiency rate of 68% even higher.
New Worlds Reading, an initiative headed by the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning, has extended its reach to Sarasota County after being signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last summer.
The state-funded initiative works to assist Florida's struggling students in grades pre-K through fifth who have either not yet met FAST Star Early Literacy age-appropriate standards or any K-fifth grade student in a public or district-sponsored charter school who is not yet reading on grade level.
In collaboration with the Florida Department of Education's Just Read program, NWR assesses each student's reading levels and selects titles that will grow their reading comprehension skills.
Offering free books and activities personalized to fit each student's needs, interests and native language, NWR offers accessibility in multiple ways.
Each month during the school year, one book is mailed to the home of each student, along with activities related to each reading. Various genres are available for students, from STEM-related subjects to humor.
According to U.S. News & World Report, 40% of the district's enrollment is minority students. English for Speakers of Other Languages students are also on the rise in Sarasota County, another reason NWR spokesperson Naseeka Dennis said the state initiative looks to meet.
"We want to meet families where they are," Dennis said. "Being able to provide those books in Spanish, Haitian Creole does provide an opportunity for the families to engage and connect together over a book, which allows them to still be involved in the reading."
The state-funded book delivery program offers its literature resources in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Braille, an option Dennis said meets increasing inclusion needs found in Sarasota County.
"Just having that available for those students whose parents may want to preserve or have their students learn the language, being able to read in that language, for them to connect and do the activities together in that language, shows a lot of benefits for reading comprehension," Dennis said.
New Worlds Reading’s impact on student reading achievement has made gains of up to 55% growth rates in reading achievement across the 2022-23 school year, according to the FDOE.
In the same report, it said enrolled English Language Learner students have narrowed the gap with their eligible but not enrolled non-ELL peers on the STAR Early Literacy test by 40%.
NWR said it has shipped more than 7 million books since its start in December 2021, with enrollment increasing by 45% last school year.
Educators are also encouraged to get involved in the reading process.
Dennis said NWR is working with Sarasota County Schools to present the initiative to students and teachers, with an upcoming informational event Taylor Ranch Elementary planned as well.
Though applications are open year-round, NWR encourages families to apply before August to ensure students can start receiving their books with the new school year.
For families interested in applying, visit the New Worlds Reading website.
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