"Reading is the gateway skill, it is the new civil right. Because children cannot access their other rights unless they can read well and strategically. In fact, good readers support our democracy, because it allows readers to interact with texts and make decisions that affect their lives. It is truly the most important thing that we do." –Phyllis C. Hunter

Reading is a civil right and it is a foundation for success in life.  

It is a part of our responsibility as educators to set the conditions for students to thoroughly enjoy the reading experience and understand its value and purpose in life. According to the District’s priorities identified in our Strategic Plan, outstanding achievement is at the top of the list. Building a culture of literacy in our schools, community and district that develops avid readers will dramatically increase students’ academic achievement and equip them with the tools necessary to pursue successful, prosperous lives.  

Rise Up, Read More is designed to get students to read more. The research on reading is clear: reading more is scientifically proven to improve a readers' reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general knowledge.  Additionally, individuals who read communicate better, are more knowledgeable, more successful, and earn more than those who do not.

How does the District support independent reading?

• Through opportunities for accountable independent reading provided within our daily core curriculum programs  
• Through our districtwide independent reading challenge during the school year called the “Rise Up, Read More”  
• Through a variety of partnership programs with local and national partners
• Through Semester Reading Celebrations and school-based community events
• Through partnering with the community in our Let’s Read Community Reading Program

Rise Up, Read More! A District Wide Competition for All Students, K-12, to Practice and Enjoy Reading! 

The District is sponsoring another Rise Up, Read More challenge that will culminate with end of semester celebrations. There are two separate reading challenges, K–4 and 5–12.

During our second round of Rise Up, Read More we had approximately 1,300 students register, and those students read and logged over 500,000 minutes. This is more than double the number of minutes read for the first round of the contest! Way to go!

1. With 90,574 minutes read – Mrs. Wallace’s Beehive at Coleman A. Young Elementary School, taught by Melanie Wallace
2. With 67,307 minutes read – Ballard's Bunch 213 at Charles H. Wright Academy, taught by Michelle Ballard
3. With 23,360 minutes read – Mrs. Stephens' Class at Mann Learning Community, taught by Rachel Stephens

1. 23,095 minutes – Tracee Nowell 8th grade, Charles Wright Academy
2. 8,368 minutes – Nevaeh Sanders 6th grade, Hutchinson Elementary-Middle School
3. 4,513 minutes – Keniel Hernandez 7th grade, Clippert Academy
   
   

Round 3 – Here We Go!

We are partnering again with the Detroit Public Library to log a record number of accountable independent reading hours both in school and at home!

When: Challenge #3 runs now through June 2.

Who: All kindergarten–12th grade DPSCD students

What: Classes and individual students are challenged to read at least 15 minutes per day individually and to log their reading using the Detroit Public Library Beanstack Reading Application. The theme for the third-round challenge is #readwhatyoulike. During this challenge, students are encouraged to read books related to their interests.

How: Students in grades K–5 are registered as a class by their homeroom teacher. Directions for teachers to register K–5 students can be found here and below. K–5 student reading will be logged by homeroom teachers. Students in grades 6–12 will register themselves for a challenge during their ELA Class. Directions for 6th–12th grade students to register can be found here and below. 

Prizes:

• Classrooms with the highest percentage of minutes based on enrollment will receive a prize.
• Students in grades 6–12 who read at least 600 minutes per challenge will be entered in a raffle for a big prize.​​​​​​​​​

Choice Board: Students are able to win badges for reading books on the subjects listed below! This info is listed on Beanstack as well.​​

Please contact Choya Stovall, Program Supervisor in the Department of Literacy for more information on Rise Up, Read More!