Schools sign on for reading initiative

The Arkansas Department of Education announced Friday more than 350 public schools, including 19 local schools in nine districts, committed to a state initiative to promote a culture of reading, build community partnerships and strengthen reading instruction.

The agreements are part of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence Arkansas campaign. Schools had the opportunity during the summer to sign up to become R.I.S.E. schools.

“Arkansas schools and communities continue to demonstrate their commitment to building a culture of reading,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “I am extremely proud of the efforts of these schools and all stakeholders who have embraced this initiative and support Arkansas’ students.”

All schools in the Hot Springs,

Jessieville and Mountain Pine school districts signed up for R.I.S.E. and each school received a kit with bookmarks, posters, a banner and graphics to assist them with their own reading campaigns.

The initiative will be implemented in Gardner STEM Magnet School, Hot Springs Intermediate School, Hot Springs Middle School, Hot Springs World Class High School, Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School, Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School and Park International Baccalaureate Magnet School.

Jessieville Elementary School, Jessieville Middle School and Jessieville High School each committed to the campaign, as did Mountain Pine Elementary School and Mountain Pine High School.

“Strong reading skills establish the foundation for student success,” ADE Commissioner Johnny Key said. “As we transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education, strong, positive partnerships that promote a culture of reading are essential. I want to thank all Arkansas schools for their continued dedication to our students.”

Other individual schools to sign up for the initiative include Bismarck Elementary School, Centerpoint Elementary School, Centerpoint High School, Cutter Morning Star Elementary School, Lakeside Primary School, Magnet Cove Elementary School and Malvern Elementary School.

Schools, students and their families can connect with the initiative on social media with the hashtag #RISEArkansas.

The initiative includes training for more than 80 literacy specialists through the R.I.S.E. Academies to provide support to more than 1,000 kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade teachers this school year. The R.I.S.E. Academy will expand next summer to include training for educators in grades 3-6 and provide support to educators during the 2018-19 school year.