Heartland AEA 11

6500 Corporate Dr.

Johnston, IA 50131-1603

www.aea11.k12.ia.us

5/16/03

Contacts:

Matt Oakley, Heartland AEA 11, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4516

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA 11 Communications Office, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317

JOHNSTON, Iowa – A pilot program providing books for elementary students to counteract "summer reading loss" begins at six central Iowa schools this month. Heartland Area Education Agency is sponsoring the new effort to encourage students to read during summer months.

The program begins at each of the six schools with a "reading night" where a teacher or a special guest will read a favorite book to the students. Parents at each reading night will listen to Heartland AEA consultants explain successful strategies for reading aloud to their children.

Following the program, students can borrow about 20 books each from Heartland’s extensive children’s library. They also will have opportunities to check out additional titles during the summer.

Reading night guest readers include Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack and some Iowa State University assistant football coaches.

Summer reading is being emphasized because research has shown that many elementary students suffer from "summer reading loss," said Matt Oakley, instructional materials consultant at Heartland AEA.

"During the summer, students forget some of what they have learned during the school year," explained Oakley. "Also, reading is a skill that needs to be practiced. Students can practice by reading to themselves or by having someone read to them. We want to help students practice their reading, to enjoy reading and to help stop summer reading loss."

Summer reading loss has been demonstrated in several studies, Oakley said. Reasons include lack of summer instruction, limited access to reading materials and students’ reluctance to read if they haven’t been successful in school reading activities.

Schools involved are St. Cecilia, Ames; North Polk’s Central and West elementaries; and Des Moines’ Edmunds Academy and Wallace and Capitol View elementaries. Heartland AEA will supply some Spanish language books for students at Wallace and Capitol View schools.

Each participating student will receive a poster to keep track of how many minutes he or she reads during the summer. Also, each student will have his or her photo taken for a customized poster that has "READ" printed on it to encourage more reading.

Next fall, Heartland AEA staff will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and determine whether it can be expanded.

–May 19, 5:30 p.m., St. Cecelia School, Ames

–May 20, 6:30 p.m., Edmunds Academy, Des Moines

–May 21, 5:30 p.m., North Polk Central Elementary, Alleman (guest readers: ISU coaches Tony Alford and Marty Fine)

–May 21, 5:30 p.m., North Polk West Elementary, Polk City (guest reader: ISU coach Chris Ash)

–May 27, 5:30 p.m., Capitol View Elementary, Des Moines (guest reader: Christie Vilsack)

–May 28, 5:30 p.m., Wallace Elementary, Des Moines (guest reader: ISU coach DeMontie Cross)

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The news media is invited to any of the reading nights.