Only 35% of APS Third Graders Read Proficiently. A New Program Hopes to Change That.

Atlanta Public Schools, known as APS, is starting a brand-new reading program this school year to help its youngest students learn to read better. Right now, only about 35% of third graders in APS can read at grade level. That means more than half of third graders are struggling. The new program, called the Accelerated Literacy Model, aims to change that by giving students stronger reading skills before they reach fourth grade.

The program is launching at four schools: Heritage Academy, Emma Hutchinson Elementary School, Fred A. Toomer Elementary School, and Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy. It will serve students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. These are the key years when children stop learning to read and start reading to learn new things. Getting these early years right can make a big difference in a student's future success.

APS spent about a year and a half studying how other schools across the country teach reading before creating this model. Students in the program will get at least one hour of reading instruction every day. They will also have extra help time that focuses on their own specific needs. No two students learn the same way, so the program is designed to meet each child where they are.

The four schools are also hiring teachers who have special training in how to teach reading. This kind of teaching is based on the science of reading, which is research that shows the best ways for children to learn how to read. Reading skills will be woven into many parts of the school day, not just during reading class. Students will practice literacy during writing, science, and social studies lessons too.

Toomer Elementary Principal Caroline Brown explained why strong reading skills matter so much early on. 'If we get the foundational skills of reading into children so they are fluent and comfortable with all of those skills, you can't stop them from reading,' she said. Brown also pointed out that struggling readers often feel embarrassed or frustrated. Some students may try to avoid school or act out in class just to hide the fact that they cannot read well.

Brown said that when students enter fourth grade already knowing how to read, they feel confident and ready to learn. 'If a student enters fourth grade confident that they can read, then they don't have to develop behaviors that help them withdraw from class,' she said. In other words, students who read well are more likely to stay engaged and participate in school. This can have a positive effect not just on their grades, but on their whole school experience.

Teachers in the program will also get support. They will have time each week to look at student work together and talk about how to improve their lessons. They will receive professional development, which means special training to help them become even better at teaching reading. Community groups, including the Center for Puppetry Arts, will also get involved. These organizations will show students how reading and literacy skills are used in creative ways and in different jobs and careers.

Principal Brown hopes that if the program works well at these four schools, APS will be able to bring it to more schools across the district. She believes that strong reading skills can open doors for students throughout their entire lives. By building a solid foundation early, schools give children the tools they need to succeed in every subject as they grow older.