Summer Literacy Program Tackles Achievement Gap

Nearly 100 children from two public housing developments in Springfield Massachusetts are enrolled in an innovative summer  literacy program.   WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

            For the next five weeks, the children, in  grades K through three, will take part in a nature based learning program featuring field trips to placeds like parks and reservoirs.. There will be reading integrated with the activities to sharpen literacy skills.. The academic achievement gap widens in the summer because children from pulbic housing don’t have access to the educational resources more affluent children do, according to Springfield Housing Authoirity ex. Director William Abrashkin.

            The summer program is part of a larger campaign  to dramatically improve the reading skills of Springfield school children..