School leaders asking parents to step in to help combat low reading scores
Results from this year's state reading assessment found 21% of second graders in the state are reading below average.
Under the Literacy Act, these students risk being held back next year. In central Alabama, some schools struggled more than others.
READ MORE: Alabama sees more students reading below grade level compared to last year
Birmingham City Schools saw close to 50% of second graders falling below grade level. Jefferson County Schools saw more than 30%.
Under the Literacy Act, schools are required to have reading specialists, state certified reading books, and student improvement plans in place for students falling behind.
Fairfield City School representatives said they have all of these resources but recent scores still show an increase in below grade level readers compared to last year. The school district saw 30 out of 79 second grade students falling behind and 53 out of 99 third grade students in the same position.
Teaching and learning director Larhonda Aikerson attributes those numbers to a lack of at home teaching.
“We have to have some at home learning in order for our students in order for our students to be where they need to be whether we were in a pandemic or not," said Aikerson.
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After receiving this year's scores, the school system held a meeting with parents asking for their help with at home learning.
"We have surveyed our parents to see what do they want because in order for parents to be participatory in their child’s education they have to be interested and so we wanted to know from our parents what do you need at this moment to help your child,” said Aikerson.
Some parents' largest concern was lack of resources in their household.
To help, the school district implemented a parent resource room in each school that is equipped with textbooks, computers and printers. The goal is to encourage parents to become more involved with student learning.