HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0011) IR 20-10434 - Update on 2020 100x25 CFW Reading Instruction ProgramINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10434
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 16, 2020
Page 1 of 2
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SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2020 100X25 CFW READING INSTRUCTION
rrA PROGRAM
The purpose of this Informal Report is to highlight various aspects of the City's 100x25 Reading
Instruction Program that is a component of the City of Fort Worth Summer Day Camp (SDC) 2020.
The City launched its first formalized Reading Instruction Program during summer 2019. The Program
was hosted at 20 Community Centers, four (4) Mobile Recreation Sites, one (1) community apartment, the
Valley at Cobb Park and one (1) Fort Worth Independent Elementary School, Van Zandt Guinn.
Approximately 2,500 participants, ages 5 -13 years old, were enrolled in Camp.
Results were notable: in January 2020 Fort Worth ISD reported that students participating in the City's
Reading Instruction Program were performing better than their peers who did not.
Summer Day Camp 2020 is reduced significantly in scope and size. Duration of the Program is currently
scheduled for Monday, June 29 — Friday, August 7, 2020, six (6) weeks rather than the usual nine (9)
weeks. Only 22 locations will host the SDC this summer; 19 Community Centers, two (2) Mobile
Recreation sites and one (1) non -City of Fort Worth siteKingdom Manifesters, 4601 McCurdy. The
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center hosts the A.B. Christian Learning Center's Freedom School and
is not listed as a City of Fort Worth sponsored program. However, A.B. Christian Learning Center is a
partner with Read Fort Worth (RFW) and its program goal is consistent with other community partners,
including the City of Fort Worth. SDC estimated enrollment is 750 -800 compared to approximately 2500
last summer.
Though the City's Reading Instruction Program for summer 2020 is reduced in scope and size, it will be
improved in the following ways:
Reading Instruction: Twelve part-time, temporary Literacy Support Specialist (LSS) will provide
direct reading instruction to the children. These persons have credentials and/or experience in reading
instruction, early learning or elementary education. Seven (7) of these persons will be hired by the City.
Read Fort Worth will recruit, select, assign and fund five (5) LSSs to support the City's Reading Instruction
Program. Last year RFW funded four (4) LSS positions. Additionally, existing staff will take refresher
training based on last year's instruction strategy, the six (6) best practices for reading instruction. Staff
training will be conducted virtually by Texas Wesleyan professors using Blackboard Collaborate.
Strategic Assignments: Each of the 12 LSSs will be assigned to two (2) locations for a minimum
of two (2) hours daily. These assignments guarantee quality reading instruction based on the six (6) best
practices ...... phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, fluency and writing. Existing staff
will reinforce these reading best practices through activities to be integrated into recreation, sports, crafts
and games, such as the game of Hop Scotch.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 20-10434
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 16, 2020
Page 2 of 2
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SUBJECT: UPDATE ON 2020 100X25 CFW READING INSTRUCTION
rrA PROGRAM
Instructional Materials: Each location will have a collection of materials from the recommended
reading list provided by the Texas Wesleyan professors who developed the program. The purchase of
Instructional Materials was funded in part through the Mayor's Promotion Fund, City of Fort Worth Fire
Department and Cowboy Santa's.
Availability of Free Books: Read Fort Worth, Trinity Basin Preparatory School, and Friends of
the Fort Worth Library will provide "like new" books. Each participant will have at least one free book to
take home.
Data Collection: Parental Consent to share student data will be captured during online registration.
Getting Parental Consent on the front end should result in an increase in student data to share and analyze.
Student Assessment: Student assessment will be conducted utilizing Read A — Z. The assessment
tool has been vetted and approved by Read Fort Worth and Fort Worth ISD. The Literacy Support
Specialist will proctor the assessment on first and last day of Camp.
Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact Gleniece A. Robinson, Director,
Education Strategies, at 817-392-6575, 817-944-6900 or e-mail, Gleniece.Robinson(kfortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS