Mayor Ras J. Baraka, joined by Chief Education Officer Dr. Sharnee Brown, Newark Board of Education Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Mary Ann Reilly, Newark Library Director Christian G. Zabriskie, and other esteemed dignitaries, took the initiative in launching a robust 10-point plan aimed at addressing child literacy for toddlers through third graders. The momentous press conference, held at The Newark Public Library, located at 5 Washington Street, revealed the city’s proactive approach to tackling the national academic challenges stemming from learning loss during the COVID-19 period.
The plan was developed in response to the concerning decline in academic performance since 2019, as reported by the National Center of Educational Statistics (NCES). Startlingly, in 2019, only 35.34% of fourth-grade students were proficient or above in reading, with similar trends in eighth and twelfth grades. In Newark, the 2022 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) results were equally concerning, with only 19% of third graders passing the literacy test. Shockingly, in nine schools, the percentage of third graders passing the English exam was in the single digits. To address this educational emergency, Mayor Baraka established the Mayor Ras J. Baraka Brain Trust to Address the Urgent Literacy Crisis, a coalition of experts determined to reverse this downward spiral and ensure a bright future for Newark’s young students.
Mayor Baraka passionately emphasized the critical link between childhood reading proficiency, high school graduation, and lifelong success. Alarmed by the low literacy scores, he called for united community support to uplift Newark’s students and put them back on track for a promising future.
Dr. Sharnee Brown aptly compared literacy to building a strong foundation for a house, highlighting that a solid base would ensure structural security in the future. The 10-point literacy plan, grounded in research, aims to be a game-changer, empowering the next generation to achieve beyond expectations.
Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger León pledged the district’s commitment to realize Mayor Baraka’s 10-Point Youth Literacy Action Plan. Already taking steps to implement the first three actions focusing on high-dosage tutoring, culturally relevant texts, and writing emphasis, the district is firmly dedicated to fostering powerful readers and writers among its students.
The 10-point plan consists of the following actionable steps:
Schools Will:
- Implement one-on-one high dosage tutoring within the school day and after school, to accelerate reading growth for struggling readers.
- Select books reflecting children’s cultural and ethnic backgrounds to improve reading performance.
- Incorporate more writing to enhance reading comprehension, using specific text formats, grammar, and spelling skills.
Parents Will:
- Enroll children in free pre-K3 and pre-K4 programs, ensuring regular attendance for a solid foundation in reading and writing.
- Read aloud and listen to children read daily, using resources like audiobooks and encouraging active engagement with the text.
- Provide quality prenatal care and read books to unborn children, laying a strong literacy foundation even before birth.
- Build vocabulary at all ages, using the world around them to name things and encouraging the use of dictionaries and thesauruses.
Community Partners and Non-profits Will:
- Ensure all afterschool programs incorporate a reading component to boost literacy skills.
- Develop literacy initiatives throughout the city, offering a calendar of literacy events and incentives for obtaining library cards to foster a love for reading.
- Distribute books to families to help develop home libraries, recognizing the impact of a rich home library on a child’s educational career.
Christian G. Zabriskie, The Newark Public Library Director, expressed excitement at being part of this essential literacy campaign, emphasizing their commitment to nurturing children’s love for reading through various programs and events.
Audible Vice President of Urban Innovation Aisha Glover echoed Audible’s dedication to support Mayor Baraka’s Literacy Brain Trust in improving literacy scores and life outcomes for Newark children.
The Brain Trust, consisting of various community leaders, educators, and organizations, will spearhead the plan’s implementation, uniting to address the urgent literacy crisis and uplift Newark’s youth to achieve their full potential.
photos courtesy of City of Newark Press Office
