South Texas Reading Initiative

Program Overview

The South Texas Literacy Coalition is research-based and strives to bring awareness and promotion to the enhancement of literacy services in each community that it serves. Our featured outreach effort is the South Texas Reading Initiative which is a book distribution program implemented as a book grant to collaborators and partners. The existing research is clear about the benefits of book distributions for children and students. Children's book distribution programs were created to provide greater access to high-quality, age-appropriate reading materials to children whose families might find it challenging to provide print materials and books at home. Having books at home, especially during the summer break from school, helps children and students address the achievement gap. According to research on the "summer reading slide" children who have access to at least six books at home during the summer can maintain their learning status as they enter a new school year. Giving access to print materials is associated with positive behavioral, educational, and psychological outcomes. Indeed, book distribution events help children and students: 1) learn the basics of reading; 2) improve reading performance; 3) read more and for longer lengths of time; 4) produce improved attitudes toward reading and learning; 5) be more motivated and interested in
reading; 6) improve writing performance; 7) improve language development; and 8) improve academic performance in subjects other than reading.

Cost Info