Tennessee Gave Out Free Books to Over 200,000 Kids for the Summer
Tennessee is taking proactive measures to combat learning loss over the summer by implementing an innovative program aimed at promoting reading among students. The Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) has expanded its K-3 Home Library program, in collaboration with Scholastic Publishing, to deliver surprise books to nearly a quarter million children.
Tennessee Gives Books to Children
With the goal of keeping students engaged and fostering a love for reading, this initiative aims to distribute 1.2 million grade-level books to over 200,000 students, teachers, and librarians across Tennessee. The program ensures that each participant receives six packages containing grade-appropriate books, which are delivered directly to their homes. Remarkably, this service is provided at no cost to families or the 152 school districts involved.
By extending the program’s reach and implementing an opt-out option for families, Tennessee has succeeded in making it easy for all K-3 students to be a part of this beneficial initiative, with 40,000 more students receiving books this year compared to the previous year. Parents and educators have expressed their appreciation for the program’s positive impact. A parent from Warren County shared that her son, who has been struggling with reading, has shown significant improvement since joining the program last summer.
Early Literacy Is Crucial for Society
In Morgan County, an educator highlighted the limited access to books during summer breaks, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like this to provide students with reading materials. GELF aims to promote a reading culture in Tennessee by ensuring that students have the necessary resources and books to become lifelong learners. The success of this program has led to Tennessee being recognized as a leader in collaborative early literacy efforts, with hopes that other states will follow suit.
Feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of them reporting that their children were thrilled to receive the books and found them valuable for their families. Research supports the importance of reading during summer vacations, as students who do not engage in reading during this time may experience a decline in their reading proficiency.