Right to Read: NHPS' Reading Expo Nov. 20, 21 Showcases Resources

NEW HAVEN, CT —The New Haven Public Schools will host a Reading Expo on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 to explore the reading instructional materials recommended by the Reading Council for the State Department of Education in response to the Right to Read Legislation.

The event will take place at BRAMS Parish House on 150 Kimberly Ave. in New Haven from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All NHPS teachers, administrators, staff, parents, students, and community members are invited to attend the Expo.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the vendors from each program, learn about the various reading materials and resources, and provide feedback.

“Strengthening student achievement in reading is one of our highest priorities as a school district,” said NHPS Superintendent Dr. Iline Tracey. “We need all members of the community working together to support our students. Selecting the reading instructional materials that adhere to the science of reading provides an opportunity for all of us to be on the same page as we get prepared for implementation in 2023.”

The Right to Read legislation requires every district to have in place a reading curriculum that focuses on the “science of reading,” an evidence-based best practice approach for teaching foundational literacy skills. School districts have until July 1, 2023 to adopt one of seven approved teaching programs.

“It is very important to us that members of the NHPS community are engaged with this process of selecting and implementing our new materials,” said Supervisor of Literacy Lynn Brantley. “It is essential that teachers, parents, and community members are informed about our plans to improve achievement. We very much want their feedback.”

The recommended instructional materials will be piloted in 12 district schools, starting in January 2023.

“We are very excited to pilot the recommended materials,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Keisha Redd-Hannans. “It is critically important for us to see how our teachers, students, and families interact with the materials. We want to know if and how much supplemental materials the teachers need to utilize to enhance student learning, the level of interest students have in the materials, and the effectiveness of the materials to help families at home with their children. The input of the school leaders, teachers, students, and families will be essential as we select a program.”

The pilot schools will include a mix of neighborhood and magnet schools, and will include schools with a significant number of multilingual learners. A final decision on the selection of the materials will be submitted to the Connecticut State Department of Education.