Department of Education releases summer reading list

Summer reading key to students being academically ready to start school in the fall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Media Contacts:
Donna Smith, 317.232.9190, dosmith@doe.in.gov
Lynelle A. Miller, 317.232.6614, lamiller@doe.in.gov

Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed is encouraging Hoosier students to continue reading when school lets out this year with the release of the 2008 Summer Reading List. Studies show summer reading improves students’ academic performance in reading and other school subjects.

“Students need to know that reading isn’t just something you do in school,” Reed said. “Summer vacation is a great time for students to have fun reading while helping make sure they are ready for school this fall. We also hope that student enthusiasm will encourage adults to read, too.”

2008 Summer Reading List

Available online at www.doe.in.gov/summerreading, the 2008 Summer Reading List features 100 book titles compiled by the Indiana Department of Education based on input from local educators, school media specialists and professional education associations. The list is divided into four categories: primary (grades K-2), intermediate (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12, adults), with 25 books per category.

Each category focuses on reading across all content levels with consideration placed on the following:

• Balancing English/language arts, math, science, social studies, the arts, world languages (including bilingual titles) and health/physical education
• Representing both fiction and nonfiction titles
• Featuring a title at each level on Abraham Lincoln in preparation for the bicentennial celebration in February 2009 (see www.in.gov/lincoln or www.lincolnbicentennial.gov)
• Highlighting current events (i.e., Summer Olympics, Presidential history)
• Including titles with a “green” focus in honor of the Department of Education’s year-long Learn Green, Live Green initiative (see www.doe.in.gov/green)

Parents and families are encouraged to ask teachers what level of reading material their student might need for the summer and to preview every title for appropriateness of content, interest and reading level before giving the book to the child.

Facts on reading & literacy

Reading studies by the National Coalition for Literacy have shown that a more literate America means stronger families, and parents with strong literacy skills help their children succeed in school. Among the Coalition’s findings:

• As the education level of the mother increases, so does the literacy level of the child.
• Families who participate in family literacy programs showed a dramatic increase in the children’s school attendance during and after the program.
• Oral communication prepares children to learn to read. When adults use a larger vocabulary, it affects their children and their ability to learn.

"We as adults must serve as role models for our children, so they know that reading is an important – and enjoyable – activity at any age," Reed said.

The severity of the literacy problem in America was made evident by a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics demonstrating that 13 percent of all adults in the U.S. had Below Basic prose literacy. This translates to 30 million Americans who are unable to meet the lowest levels of literacy performance, such as signing a form or adding the amounts on a bank deposit slip. The study also found an association between levels of literacy, employment and earnings. At each increasing level of prose literacy, more adults were employed full-time and median weekly earnings increased with each level of literacy. The complete study is available at www.nces.ed.gov/NAAL.

Additional student reading

Individuals interested in finding more age-appropriate reading materials for students may access the Indiana Reading List at www.doe.in.gov/readinglist. Designed as a companion piece to Indiana's academic standards for English/language arts, the selections in the Indiana Reading List illustrate the quality and approximate complexity of the materials to be read by students at each grade span. Local libraries and schools are encouraged to use the Indiana Reading List in developing local reading selections, but the list is not required reading for students nor is it meant to be all-inclusive.