History of National Literacy Month
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Literacy Day began in 1967. In 2023, International Literacy Day will be recognized on Friday, September 8.
What The Research Shows
Research shows students who can read and comprehend the information in early childhood are better prepared to understand more complex subjects later in life.
“Students who read with understanding at an early age gain access to a broader range of texts, knowledge, and educational opportunities, making early reading comprehension instruction particularly critical,” according to a 2010 research panel of educators coordinated by the Institute of Education Sciences.
Literacy Plan For MPUSD Students
At MPUSD, our educators are committed to shrinking the gap between the number of students who are proficient in literacy and those who need extra support. We are proactively working with state partners and non-profit organizations focused on improving literacy. Our efforts are part of a stateside plan to make sure all students learn to read by third grade by 2026, according to CDE.
2021 California Comprehensive State Literacy Plan
Students who attend an MPUSD school grades preschool through 12th grade are participating in literacy curriculum, providing them the opportunity to continually improve their skills.
On August 22, 2023, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District approved our ‘Resolution Regarding Sufficiency of Instructional Materials for the 2023-2024 School Year’ including these items under our English Language Development program:
Grades Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten: Creative Curriculum
Grades K-3: Phonics to Reading
Grades TK-6: Benchmark Advance, Benchmark Education
Grades 7-8: Amplify, Amplify Education Company
Grades 6-12: English 3D, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017
Grades 9-10: Into Literature, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades 10-12: Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society, 2009
Grades 11-12: Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC), Center for Distributed Learning California State University System
Grades 9-12: English 3D, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
During the 2022-2023 school year, MPUSD continued its focus on improving reading levels in grades preschool through third grade with the goal of ensuring every child is able to read at or above grade level by the end of third grade. This goal aligns to the state’s priority of meeting the same mark by 2026.
Our elementary school teachers are focusing on helping students achieve fluency in phonics to reach this goal.
How Parents/Guardians/Family Members Can Get Involved
We encourage all parents, guardians, and family members to support their students’ path toward literacy.
Here are some ideas to get you started from First 5 California: Raising A Reader
- Be a reading role model
- Encourage reading of anything with written words like street signs or packaging on a box
- Plan a family book night
- Create a bookshelf
- Encourage older siblings to read with younger siblings
- Replace screen time with book time
Special Education Resources