Newark Trust for Education

01/06/2025

Great opportunity for Parents! Dinner, Childcare, and Parking provided! Still time to register

12/30/2023

12/22/2023

At Five Newark Schools, Only One Third Grader Passed the State Reading Exam
At 12 schools, fewer than 10% of third graders are able to read at grade level

COMMENTARY

The concerning literacy levels in Newark's schools, as highlighted in the recent TAPinto Newark article, underscore a pressing need for community-wide action. This situation isn't just a challenge for the schools; it's a call to action for everyone – parents, community members, organizations, and educators. We need to collaborate, coordinate, and prioritize literacy to ensure our children's success.

The alarming statistics from Newark’s schools, where in some cases only one in dozens of third graders passed the state reading exam, serve as a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue. While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overlooked, it's clear that a multifaceted approach is necessary to address this crisis effectively.

As a community, we can and should do better. This means:

1. Ensuring Access to Books: Every child should have easy access to books from an early age. This not only fosters a love for reading but also helps in developing critical thinking and comprehension skills.

2. Daily Reading Sessions: Parents and guardians should read aloud to their children daily. This practice not only improves listening skills but also enhances the bond between the child and the reader.

3. Engaging Conversations: Discussing the content being read is crucial. It encourages children to think critically about the story, relate it to their own experiences, and enhances their understanding.

4. Promoting Reading Culture: Reading should be celebrated and encouraged at every turn. This includes creating reading-friendly environments at home and in the community.

5. Modeling Reading Behavior: Children learn by example. When they see adults in their life engaged in reading, they are more likely to adopt the same habit.

By integrating these strategies, we can move beyond just worrying about the statistics and take concrete steps towards ensuring that all children in Newark reach the reading proficiency needed to thrive in life. It's a collective responsibility, and it's time to rise to this challenge.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/sections/education/articles/at-five-newark-schools-only-one-third-grader-passed-the-state-reading-exam?fbclid=IwAR2bGZ_1HciAQGRB36d5LKFxosZa3vBpShvk13tvaFkUrT9aASx6Oo_KqT8

Uncommon North Star Academy Newark Public Library Brick Education BRICK Achieve Community Charter School NYC Museum School KIPP Newark Public Schools Newark District Leaders Forum Newark Board of Education Essex County Council for Young Children - ECCYC Newark Trust for Education Everyone The Latino Family Literacy Project Newark Alliance Marion P. Thomas Charter School Uncommon Newark - North Star Academy Social Emotional Learning Alliance for United States The Cornwall Center For Metropolitan Studies Chad School Foundation

12/21/2023

Reading: It's mind-blowing
https://youtu.be/6sN-qy1pjdM?si=0LJN-75aTazriV-Y
Uncommon North Star Academy KIPP Newark Public Schools Newark District Leaders Forum BRICK Achieve Community Charter School NYC Museum School Brick Education Newark Board of Education Essex County Council for Young Children - ECCYC Newark Public Library Newark Trust for Education Everyone Uncommon Newark - North Star Academy The Cornwall Center For Metropolitan Studies Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark Alliance The Latino Family Literacy Project Chad School Foundation Social Emotional Learning Alliance for United States

12/05/2023

𝓕𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓮 4 𝓛𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓬𝔂

Hey everyone, it's 𝕸𝖆𝖙𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖆𝖘 here!

I'm walking through this super cool museum for my NYC Museum School module today. We're exploring early forms of democracy, and let me tell you, it's fascinating!

First, I saw the Gada System of the Oromo People in Ethiopia and Kenya. Did you know it's a social system where different classes and leaders get chosen every eight years? It's incredible how they've organized their society. How did they decide on eight years?

Then, there's the Kgotla in Botswana. It's like a big public meeting where everyone gets to speak and have their say. It is a fair way to make decisions. But I'm curious: how do they make sure everyone gets heard?

And the Councils and Assemblies of the Igbo People in Nigeria. They use these to discuss and decide on essential matters. It's like everyone has a voice. How do these councils stay true to the people's needs?

I'm so intrigued by all these forms of democracy. They're different from what we learn in our textbooks but so important. I want to read more about them. Some awesome books are out there, and my social studies teacher will help me find them. It's like a treasure hunt for knowledge!

Learning about these democratic systems makes me think about how we can apply some of their ideas today. Imagine what our world could learn from them!

Can't wait to dive into some books and learn more. Stay tuned for more of my museum adventures!

Newark Public Library Everyone Newark Board of Education Newark Trust for Education Newark District Leaders Forum Essex County Council for Young Children - ECCYC Sonnet Takahisa KIPP Newark Public Schools Uncommon North Star Academy BRICK Achieve Community Charter School Brick Education

10/31/2023

We are looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Share broadly. Comment below.
The State of Segregation in New Jersey Schools
To watch the entire program, click here: https://www.facebook.com/newarkpubliclibrary/videos/1794162841098834/?mibextid=zDhOQc
Newark Public Library Newark Board of Education The Cornwall Center For Metropolitan Studies KIPP Newark Public Schools Uncommon Newark - North Star Academy

10/29/2023

Looking forward to reading your comments!

📚📖 Reading Proficiency Matters! 📖📚

Ensuring that every child achieves reading proficiency by the third grade is a shared responsibility that requires an all hands-on-deck approach. Newark has taken a significant step forward with the NewarkReads initiative, but there's more work to be done.

To truly make a lasting impact on our children's future, we need to collaborate, share information, align activities, and closely monitor outcomes. This comprehensive approach involves not just one school district, but ALL of the districts in Newark coming together.

We can take inspiration from New York City's NYC Reads Initiative, which has already launched its citywide efforts to improve literacy outcomes for their students.

Let's learn from each other, support our educators, and ensure that every child in Newark has the tools they need to succeed in reading. Together, we can make a difference!

Learn more about NYC Reads Initiative here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/literacy/nyc-reads 📖👨‍🏫👩‍🏫

10/25/2023

This, too, can be NEWARK!

https://xqsuperschool.org/where-we-work/dunbar-high-school/

Dunbar isn't just teaching history; it’s charting the course for a future filled with possibilities. Imagine a curriculum that fuses African-American history with the promise of tomorrow. Through Afrofuturism, students are set on a path to redefine, reimagine, and rebuild.

The roots of Dunbar High School stretch back to 1870, a beacon of hope as the first public high school for African-Americans. Today, it's weaving Afrofuturism into its DNA, guiding students to both honor the past and embrace a vibrant future. With this bold step, Dunbar is nurturing leaders who'll shatter systemic barriers. This, too, can be NEWARK!

https://xqsuperschool.org/where-we-work/dunbar-high-school/

10/24/2023

Check out this insightful segment from One City Schools in Madison, WI. The speaker sheds light on a crucial topic that needs our attention.

"Black Children's Reading Levels in 2023: Worse than During Slavery?
https://youtu.be/Io6Be5gatz0?feature=shared

A point to note: In the video, the speaker mentions a widely circulated belief that third-grade reading scores are used to predict prison construction in America. Although this specific claim is largely debunked, there's an undeniable link between early literacy challenges and the rising incarceration rates in our nation. The following statistics powerfully highlight this relationship:

+85 percent of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally low-literate.

+Juvenile incarceration reduces the probability of high school completion and increases the probability of incarceration later in life.

+High school dropouts are 3.5 times more likely than high school graduates to be arrested in their lifetime.

+High school dropouts are 63% more likely to be incarcerated than their peers with four-year college degrees.

+Mississippi has the second highest incarceration rate in the nation. The average adult inmate reads on a sixth-grade level when admitted. Half of the state’s inmates never finished high school.

10/24/2023

Why Is Digital Literacy So Often Overlooked as a Solution?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/positively-media/202309/why-is-digital-literacy-so-often-overlooked-as-a-solution

Digital literacy builds protective internal strengths for every tech use.
Posted September 11, 2023

10/23/2023

🍂 RESCHEDULED: FALL IN LOVE WITH LITERACY! 🍂
STEAM ACADEMY, 370 SOUTH 7TH STREET, 07103

📌 To register for this free event, scan/tap the QR code or simply click on the link: https://forms.gle/a48yNJGoMPct7FDm7

Attention parents and scholars of PreK to 4th grade: The key to unlocking a world of endless possibilities for our children is nestled within the pages of books. By ensuring our students are surrounded by these treasures, and by collaborating as parents and educators, we can offer them the vital support they need. This goes beyond just reading – it's about decoding, making meaning, and daily practice that will lead to proficiency.

Why is this so crucial? Because when our children are proficient readers, they're not just prepared for school—they're prepared for life. Reading paves the way for success in school, sets the stage for promising careers, and ensures our young scholars can compete and excel in any arena they choose.

Join Marion P. Thomas Charter School on Wednesday, Nov. 1st, from 6-8 p.m. Dive into a night packed with interactive activities, meet an inspiring local author, and uncover the wealth of resources and opportunities that Newark Public Library has in store. This is more than an event; it's a commitment to our children's brighter futures.

Come together and ensure our children's stories are ones of success, empowerment, and boundless opportunity. 📚

Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark Public Library

RESCHEDULED: Parents and scholars of PreK to 4th grade, you are invited to "Fall in Love with Literacy" on Wednesday, Nov. 1st, from 6-8 p.m. Join us for a night of interactive activities; meet a local author; discover all the exciting opportunities the Newark Public Library offers and so much more. To register for this free event scan or tap the QR code, or visit the link in our bio.