NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: January 22, 2018
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education announced today a series of regional meetings across the state for parents of students in Kindergarten through grade 3. At the meetings, parents will receive an overview of the state law concerning literacy and assessment, as well as strategies that can be used at home to help improve reading outcomes for children.
The state law, known as the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, focuses on prevention and intervention to help children develop the reading skills required for 4th grade. The law requires that 3rd grade students who do not meet reading standards by the end of the school year will not be promoted to 4th grade, unless they meet specific standards for exemption.
The Literacy-Based Promotion Act has made reading instruction a major focus of Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Throughout the school year, teachers provide intensive reading instruction to students reading below grade level. Parent involvement is also critical to students’ success.
“Parents are their child’s first teacher, and reading with children is a proven way to promote early literacy,” said Dr. Kymyona Burk, state literacy director. “By reading with children for 20 minutes per day and making a few simple strategies a part of their daily routine, parents can make a positive impact on their child’s success in school.”
All meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. No registration is required. Parent meeting dates and locations are as follows:
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519