Columbus schools, library team up to fight summer literacy slide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Many students love getting a break from school during the summer months, but it's an easy time for children to fall behind in their literacy and comprehension skills.
Children nationwide continue to make up for time lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more important to stay on track with their reading during summer break. School districts and libraries in central Ohio are still working to close that learning gap.
'Some of the things that happened during COVID prevented our students from those outside learning experiences, those hands-on experiences, so we're seeing some gaps with that knowledge base and that experience within comprehension,' Columbus City Schools Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Kelly Rivers said.
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Rivers said simply reading interesting books during the months off is an important step toward improving critical literacy skills.
'Summer learning is one of the most critical points of an entire year, and we don't want to lose sight of that,' she said.
Columbus City Schools has created specific programs to help with reading comprehension during the school year and the summer. Besides those programs, Rivers encourages parents and caregivers to visit the Columbus Metropolitan Library, whose Summer Reading Program is aimed at helping kids keep up with literacy skills.
'Taking two months off of anything can be really hard to maintain that level and keep it a strong skill,' Columbus Metropolitan Library Public Services Director Miya Reyes said.
Reyes said the loss of those reading skills during the summer slide, putting children at a disadvantage in the fall.
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'Reading is a tough skill, whether it's somebody who's already been reading or they're learning to read, and it can be something that's difficult to learn to do,' Reyes said. 'I think one of the most important things about it is to make it fun.'
Whether students get extra reading help and encouragement through their school districts, local libraries or right at home, there are many resources available to parents and guardians to keep their children on track this time of year.
'Reading with your child, giving them opportunities, taking notice of inquiry and things that can increase the learning process, all those things help to decrease those summer learning gaps,' Rivers said.
'Books are so important,' Reyes said. 'Access to books, access to information can only come from being able to read that material yourself over time.'
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Rivers and Reyes both said literacy is everywhere and practicing can be as easy as reading street signs with children, reading labels on products at the grocery store or checking out a book that interests them.
To sign up for the Summer Reading Program or learn more about it, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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