How to help kids read amid low proficiency rates

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The latest standardized testing results from the state have been released, and they show that a significant proportion of students are not proficient in English language arts.

The 2023-2024 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP, results indicate that statewide, about 60% of third graders scored either “not proficient” or “partially proficient” in English language arts. In comparison to the 2022-2023 data, rates of proficiency in English language arts decreased for third and fourth graders, the state says.

The data also indicates the gap is widening for third- and fourth-grade students as compared to students in those grades before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of the things that COVID revealed, we already understood,” said Wendy Falb, executive director of the Literacy Center of West Michigan.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan says communities can make major headway in reading proficiency by taking a two-generation approach. COVID-19 revealed that the struggle with literacy can be familial, according to Falb.

“They may not have strong literacy in English, they may not speak English well, they may not be familiar with our school system,” Falb said.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan offers a program that is flexible with location and scheduling.

“We try to meet parents when they are at their child’s school and what are the topics that they need to learn and what is most important to them,” Falb said. “We also provide child care.”

Parents with literacy struggles can feel alone, but there are local organizations in Kent County that can provide support.

“These people who are isolated or are intimidated by being in the school or not confident in speaking for themselves and their child become leaders and advocates and bring the wisdom that they have for their child and community to the leadership of the school,” Falb said.

She offered some advice to parents dealing with literacy struggles.

“They are their child’s first and best teacher and their most important advocate,” Falb said. “Be a little bit vulnerable to step up and address their own literacy challenges and start learning about the school and the school system and their child’s place and their rights within that school system.”

You can engage with your child in a fun, educational way that supports literacy growth, she said.

“Singing to your child, things we don’t know about. Celebrating your culture where you come from telling stories that come from your parents, your grandparents, your own childhood and encouraging your child to tell stories all of these things not only give your child a more centered sense of who they are and their family, but they encourage literacy,” Falb said.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is seeking volunteers to serve as literacy coaches.

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