GRAVETTE -- The Gravette School District is excited to implement R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence) Arkansas this school year. Reading is a top priority for the district and, through this initiative, the district will partner with students, parents and community members to build a culture of reading in Gravette.
Everyone is invited to the Gravette Project R.I.S.E. kickoff on Friday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. Since the Upper Elementary Library Media Center will be opening its doors to students, parents and the community, it will be hosting the event.
Gravette High School has a dedicated staff that realizes students learn to read in their early years so they can read to learn throughout life. The staff is excited to participate in the R.I.S.E. initiative and a comprehensive reading program for all Gravette students.
A strong foundation in reading greatly enhances a student's success in college, career and community engagement. To support educators and students and to improve the state's reading achievement levels, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education launched R.I.S.E. Arkansas statewide in January 2018. The initiative has three main goals:
• Increase the number of students in grades three through eight who meet the ACT Aspire reading readiness benchmark by ten percent within the next three years;
• R.I.S.E. above the bottom third in state comparisons within five years on the fourth-grade NAEP reading assessment; and
• Increase the number of graduates meeting the ACT reading readiness benchmark by 10 percent within five years.
Gravette High School will have a building and community book giveaway, will conduct classroom book talks and will receive new books from the Northwest Arkansas Progressive Book Drive. The importance of student choice is also being emphasized and, currently, every student in the high school receives a specified class time to read a book of his or her choice. Students are encouraged to set personal weekly reading goals and are being rewarded for their progress.
Positive feedback is already being received from students, and school staff hopes this initiative continues to engender students' love for reading.
For more information about the initiative, contact the Gravette School District or visit the R.I.S.E. Arkansas webpage at http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/learning-services/r.i.s.e.-arkansas.
Community on 09/27/2017