{"id":4593,"date":"2024-01-30T19:33:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T19:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newworldsreading.com\/?p=4593"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:22:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:22:07","slug":"floridas-new-worlds-reading-program-off-to-a-good-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newworldsreading.com\/ht\/floridas-new-worlds-reading-program-off-to-a-good-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida\u2019s New Worlds Reading program off to a good start"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The program created in 2021 has already helped hundreds of thousands of Florida students who were struggling with reading.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a classroom teacher nearly 20 years ago, it was unfathomable to think that children across Florida could get free books and activities delivered to their homes from a state program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that time, I was teaching in one county and living in another. I struggled with missing my own child\u2019s school activities. My challenges as a parent informed my goals as a teacher: to ensure that there were multiple avenues for all parents to \u201cbe involved,\u201d not just those who could be present at school. I gained a profound awareness of the importance of offering various methods for caregivers to engage in their child\u2019s learning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Read on tampa bay times<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The window from voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) to fifth grade is a critical time to help students develop and hone the literacy skills that are the foundation for so much in life. Literacy is not just a skill; it\u2019s a fundamental aspect of individual and societal development, impacting education, employment, health and overall well-being. A perennial challenge for educators is finding ways for students to stay engaged in reading, both in the classroom and outside of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, families can use free state resources like New Worlds Reading. Signed into law in 2021 with bipartisan support, New Worlds Reading is Florida\u2019s at-home literacy program that strives to support Florida students in strengthening their literacy skills and sparking excitement about reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program mails free books and reading activities to eligible VPK to fifth grade students who are not yet reading on grade level in VPK programs, public schools and charter schools. Kids choose the books they\u2019ll receive as a special package addressed to them that builds their eagerness to read each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me, what is especially important about the program is that it meets families where they are, including parents and caregivers. New Worlds Reading books come with reading activities and resources intended to build caregivers\u2019 confidence and capacity to support their child\u2019s reading development by providing strategies and tools to encourage meaningful engagement. These resources all reinforce science of reading strategies, making them an extension of what goes on in the child\u2019s classroom. Because books come in a variety of languages, caregivers who do not speak English as their native language can still enjoy the books and activities with their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a former teacher, I also appreciate that the program was designed to supplement efforts in the classroom without adding to educators\u2019 already full plates. Part of the program\u2019s comprehensive approach is to offer educators free professional learning resources to expand their knowledge and skills while reinforcing science of reading strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While New Worlds Reading is still in its early stages, preliminary findings suggest that the program is making a mark. Ninety percent of families say they love the resources and would recommend the program; 83 percent of caregivers say they spend more time reading with their children; 86 percent of children are reading more often and more confidently; and 55 percent of children have seen improvement in reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, there are more than 956,000 Florida VPK \u2013 5th<\/sup> grade students who are not yet meeting grade level expectations in literacy. While many are already enjoying the benefits of New Worlds Reading \u2014eagerly opening their books each month\u2014many more who are eligible are not yet enrolled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Celebrate Literacy Week, I reflect both on where we\u2019ve been in my time as a classroom teacher, and on where we\u2019re going. New Worlds Reading is just getting started, and we are partnering with other organizations on a variety of fronts, from connecting literacy and nutrition security to exploring innovative reading technology to engage children and families. You can help to ensure that students benefit from New Worlds Reading\u2019s books and resources by encouraging eligible families to apply today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Shaunt\u00e9 Duggins is Associate Director for the New Worlds Reading Initiative<\/a><\/strong>, which is administered by the <\/em>University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning<\/strong>.<\/em><\/a> The UF Lastinger Center\u2019s mission is to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare with the goal of putting all learners on trajectories for lifelong success.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About New Worlds Reading:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who is eligible?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n