The New Worlds Reading Initiative 2024-2025 Annual Enrollment Report illustrates the many ways New Worlds Reading has made a real difference for Florida kids.
Testing data from the Florida Department of Education also shows how New Worlds Reading has helped children improve in school.
According to 2025 FDOE data, students enrolled in New Worlds Reading:
- Scored up to 15% higher on reading assessments than their eligible non-enrolled peers on the spring Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST).
- Made significant gains of up to 62% growth rates in reading assessment scores during the school year.
The data shows that students enrolled in New Worlds Reading see significant differences over time. In 2023-2024, enrolled students started behind their eligible non-enrolled peers in reading assessment scores but grew faster, narrowing the gap by 69%. In 2024-2025, they began scoring on par or ahead of their peers and finished the year ahead.
Check out the full report to learn more.
About New Worlds Reading: New Worlds Reading is Florida’s free at-home literacy program that helps eligible VPK - 5th graders strengthen literacy skills and spark a lifelong love of reading. Enrolled children receive 9 free books that they choose each school year through fifth grade, along with reading activities and resources families can use to help build kids’ reading skills. Books are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and braille. New Worlds Reading is administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. Book titles are selected in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and Scholastic. Learn more at newworldsreading.com.