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‘TV textbooks’ bring access to low-income Florida students
Jacksonville officials introduce a program to raise reading scores
TVtextbook delivers 3G content through students' television sets.
Prompted by lackluster reading scores, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) in Jacksonville, Fla., is attempting to reach low-income students by turning students’ televisions into learning centers.
Part of the “Read it Forward Jax” program, into which the district is investing $5.5 million, TVtextbook units will let students without internet access plug into academic programming at home.
“The one area where we were not moving the needle enough was reading, and it ties into two other critical areas: elimination of the achievement gap and even higher graduation rates,” said DCPS Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. “In the midst of us cutting $91 million from our budget, we invested $5 million in the Read it Forward Jax campaign because it is the foundational skill.”
Only two-thirds of DCPS students were deemed proficient at reading in the third grade, which mirrored the district’s 66-percent graduation rate.
For more information on school reading initiatives, see:
“Our students weren’t making gains at the rate of increase that we needed to see,” said Jacqueline Bowen, the district’s supervisor of reading and language arts. “We really didn’t see the total engagement with the whole community and the family, because reading is such a complex task that it takes a community of people to improve it.”
District leaders recognized that without a strong background in reading, students would continue to struggle. And they’ve turned to a technology that is ubiquitous in students’ households to help close the gap.
4 Responses to ‘TV textbooks’ bring access to low-income Florida students
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lmims
June 20, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Most students might not have books in their homes, but they have a television. I love this idea! This is a “no excuses” program. The parents don’t need Internet access, the tools they need are provided, all they have to do is make sure their child takes advantage of this program. I’ am sure there are many parents out there who would be glad to do so! I would love to know how this works out.
lmims
June 20, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Most students might not have books in their homes, but they have a television. I love this idea! This is a “no excuses” program. The parents don’t need Internet access, the tools they need are provided, all they have to do is make sure their child takes advantage of this program. I’ am sure there are many parents out there who would be glad to do so! I would love to know how this works out.
lehenderpa027
June 21, 2011 at 9:18 am
Would appreciate hearing more about where the “textbooks” are in TV Textbooks” and how the reading is actually occurring. Thanks.
lehenderpa027
June 21, 2011 at 9:18 am
Would appreciate hearing more about where the “textbooks” are in TV Textbooks” and how the reading is actually occurring. Thanks.
Seonlady47
June 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm
The “Read It Forward Jax” sounds like tool that can provide the benefits of learning to read to the students and their parents. Often parents are not able to read and therefore cannot be a role model for their children.
Seonlady47
June 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm
The “Read It Forward Jax” sounds like tool that can provide the benefits of learning to read to the students and their parents. Often parents are not able to read and therefore cannot be a role model for their children.
zentmapr
June 23, 2011 at 6:56 am
Finally! Something good on TV!
zentmapr
June 23, 2011 at 6:56 am
Finally! Something good on TV!
vking2
August 7, 2011 at 1:10 am
This is an awesome idea to help struggling students and parents as well as reinforcing learning to the fluent reader. I definitely would like more information on Read It Forward Jax for my school.
Colleen