Five Hamilton County Schools get a share of more than $8.5 million in Read to be Ready summer reading grants.
The grant program funds educational camps that target rising first, second, and third graders who are not on grade level in reading during the critical summer months.
Hardy, Hillcrest, Orchard Knob, Woodmore, and Wolftever Elementary Schools are all getting the Read to be Ready grants.
Hamilton County Department of Education Interim Superintendent Dr. Kirk Kelly said he looks forward to seeing the summer reading program’s results. “Study after study has shown the importance of building a strong foundation in literacy to encourage student success," said Dr. Kelly. "We are pleased the state is joining forces with us to encourage summer reading in our elementary schools."
This spring, the state Education Department received applications from nearly three-quarters of school districts across Tennessee for summer grant funding. The Tennessee Departments of Education and Human Services, with support from First Lady Crissy Haslam, have partnered to expand the Read to Be Ready Summer Grant program through an investment of $30 million over the next three years.
“Summer reading loss can have a significant impact on the academic progress made by our students during the school year,” Mrs. Haslam said. “These Read to Be Ready summer programs are an innovative and strategic approach to combating that summer slide and improving reading proficiency across the state.”
Read to be Ready is a coordinated campaign and approach to increase third grade reading proficiency in Tennessee to 75 percent by 2025 through a variety of initiatives.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reading, unite efforts to address low reading achievement, highlight best practices, and build partnerships.
Results from the first year of this program indicated for the nearly 600 students who participated, there were increases in their abilities to read fluently and decode words, increased phonemic awareness, and increased confidence and interest in reading.
Hamilton County’s share of the grants pend on HCDE Board approval.