New Worlds Reading Initiative At a Glance

The books free books delivered to the child are chosen to follow the Florida B.E.S.T. Benchmarks. Every grade level will receive a different book — nine per school year. For example, fourth-grade students received poetry books last month, a big benchmark students tend to struggle with.

Parents can choose which language they would like the books to be sent — English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Braille.

Any family who has a child in kindergarten through fifth grade who is reading below grade level for the FAST Star Early Literacy can complete an application, which can be found at NewWorldsReading.com. A child in VPK who is not yet meeting age-appropriate standards, according to FAST Star Early Literacy, can also enroll in the program.

Parents have the opportunity to enroll their child in the New Worlds Reading Initiative, enabling them to receive free books to help them read at their grade level.

Elementary Teaching and Learning Director Dr. Bethany Quisenberry said New Worlds Reading Initiative is a Florida state initiative coming out of the Florida Department of Education. She said they contacted the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning, who created the program.

The program was signed into law in June 2021. Scholastic is a partner for the initiative.

Quisenberry said this is the third year the School District of Lee County families have had the opportunity to participate in the program.

“When it first started, we as a school district, registered the students for them,” she said. “We actually have the most students registered in the New Worlds Reading in the state. Lee County has been the top county, and it is because we sent notifications to the families — if you do not want us to be registered, let us know. Any student below grade level when it first started was registered.”

The enrollment for the program is ongoing.

Any family who has a child in kindergarten through fifth grade who is reading below grade level for the FAST Star Early Literacy can complete an application, which can be found at NewWorldsReading.com. A child in VPK who is not yet meeting age-appropriate standards, according to FAST Star Early Literacy, can also enroll in the program.

Quisenberry encourages families to register even if they do know for sure that their child is reading below grade level. She said the New Worlds Reading will make the determination based on data they received from the district.

“The family completes the application, and they get a package every month in the mail to their home,” Quisenberry said. “It has a book, and an activity for the family to do with their child.”

There is also information on how a parent can help their child read with guidance of comprehension and vocabulary questions.

The books are chosen to follow the Florida B.E.S.T. Benchmarks. Every grade level will receive a different book — nine per school year. For example, she said, fourth grade students received poetry books last month, a big benchmark students tend to struggle with.

“They try to match up the books with the grade level and the benchmarks the students will be learning,” Quisenberry said.

Once the student is enrolled in the program, they will receive books until they graduate from fifth grade, even if their reading scores improve.

“They don’t ever get unenrolled. They want them to be on grade level, so they continue to get those books,” Quisenberry said. “Any time a child has another book in the home is a positive, positive thing for their reading proficiency and their love for reading,” Quisenberry said.

Parents can also choose which language they would like the books to be sent — English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Braille.

The packages are labeled and addressed to the student, giving them the opportunity to open up their new book. The packages may also include stickers and bookmarks during some months.

“We definitely see a difference with students engaged in reading, yes. I have had schools and teachers tell me the students bring those books into school. They are Accelerated Reading books, as well,” Quisenberry said, adding that they have not tracked the students that are enrolled against proficiency in reading.”

Quisenberry encourages parents to visit NewWorldsReading.com, as it has an abundance of information and frequently asked questions. It also provides resources for families and educators.

“I would love for all of our Lee County families that qualify to be enrolled,” she said.