Local administration addresses Fort Worth's reading struggles beyond school day: Details inside.
Fort Worth Tackling Literacy Crisis with Vigor
Teacher Gene Simmons, more than just a rock star, snaps his fingers after posing a question to his class of first and second graders in a bold attempt to keep them on their toes. With the city of Fort Worth's after-school and summer reading programs, Simmons, a literacy specialist, is eager to make a difference in the face of a litany of challenges.
"What's that sound?" Simmons asked his students while pointing to a paper featuring vowel combinations stuck onto a mirror-finished wall. As the city grapples with the fact that 2 out of every 3 students can't read proficiently, Simmons hopes his innovative teaching methods can help change the narrative.
Embracing the urgency of the literacy crisis, Mayor Mattie Parker remarked, "It's essential for the city to play a vital role in supporting families because our long-term success hinges on a robust education system, and literacy represents the foundation."
In April, Parker issued a resolution, underscoring literacy as a top priority to the city's municipal government. Parker is steadfast in her commitment, recognizing that early literacy skills are crucial in setting the stage for academic success.
Aside from Simmons, Fort Worth educator Caroline James is well-acquainted with the consequences of neglecting a child's learning disability. Left undiagnosed for years, her son struggled with dyslexia. The situation inspired James to launch a joint dyslexia screening initiative with the city of Fort Worth and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, known as the Literacy Roundup.
The Literacy Roundup offers free screenings, with parents connecting to resources if any issues are identified. During the summer, screenings will be conducted at various community centers, while an adult reads a series of early literacy skills test queries. The screenings serve as tools to spot potential areas of concern, but they do not provide diagnoses. Instead, the Literacy Roundup team helps parents navigate available resources.
For basic literacy skills support, students are paired with Rotary Club of Fort Worth members who advocate on their behalf. James explained, "Prevention is intervention. These kids are problem solvers. They're remarkable, and all we need to do is support them and change their lives."
Backed by the City of Fort Worth's after-school programs and summer camps, literacy efforts have been in place since 2018. Initially focused on preventing academic regression among students, the programs have since expanded to also emphasize continuous growth. Starting with the 2018 summer camps, students have achieved promising results, either maintaining or augmenting their reading skills.
Every summer, students are exposed to at least 60 minutes of literacy-focused programming, preventing any potential "summer slide." During the school year, students receive around 20 to 30 minutes of reading instruction, three times a week.
Since the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and Parker have been working tirelessly to tackle the literacy crisis. In an effort to enhance teaching practices, the FWISD is restructuring its budget to allocate funds towards demonstration teachers responsible for working directly with students, as well as offering professional development for educators.
The FWISD presents an additional opportunity for family engagement by hosting the annual Family Literacy Conference. Filled with interactive activities and workshops, the conference offers participants the chance to explore various resources designed to strengthen home libraries and promote literacy overall.
Together, the city government, FWISD, community centers, and advocacy groups work in harmony, striving to combat literacy crises and empower students to succeed. The Fort Worth literacy movement paves the way for a stronger, more literate future.
Additional Details:- The Sid W. Richardson Foundation has partnered with the city and Go Beyond Grades to launch the Literacy Roundup, a program that provides free literacy screenings and parental resources.- Screenings will be conducted during the summer at select community centers and library locations.- The pilot program has helped 20 students; parents will be connected to resources at the completion of screenings.
Sources:1. http://fortworthreport.org/articles/fort-worth-plans-city-budget-for-2023-with-focus-on-crime-transit-housing-and-racial-equity.html2. fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/literacy-roundup3. http://fortworthreport.org/articles/fort-worth-dismantles-its-border-patrol-trust.html4. http://fortworthreport.org/articles/fort-worth-dismantles-its-border-patrol-trust.html5. fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/literacy-roundup
- "Teacher Gene Simmons, a literacy specialist and rock star, employs innovative teaching methods to address Fort Worth's ongoing literacy crisis in his class of first and second graders."
- "As the city of Fort Worth faces the daunting fact that nearly two-thirds of students can't read proficiently, community member Caroline James launched the Literacy Roundup, a joint dyslexia screening initiative with the city and Sid W. Richardson Foundation."
- "Recognizing the importance of early literacy skills in academic success, Mayor Mattie Parker issued a resolution in April, making literacy a top priority for the city's municipal government."
- "In an effort to combat the literacy crisis, Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) has allocated funds towards demonstration teachers and professional development for educators, starting from the 2024-25 school year."
- "With Fort Worth's after-school programs, summer reading camps, and community initiatives such as the Literacy Roundup, the city government, FWISD, community centers, and advocacy groups collaborate to empower students towards a stronger, more literate future."
