April 2006
TO:	District Superintendents of Schools Superintendents of Public and Nonpublic Schools Administrators of Charter Schools
FROM:	Jean C. Stevens
SUBJECT:	2006 Statewide Summer Reading Program

The New York State Education Department encourages educators and school administrators to get students involved in summer reading. Voluntary summer reading provides an excellent opportunity for students to continue to enhance literacy skills developed throughout the school year. They engage students in reading for fun and at their own level of interest and ability.

The positive impact of summer reading programs on student achievement is particularly evident in high-need communities where students often have access to fewer resources. It is during the summer when differences in reading gains between students in high-need communities and those in more affluent communities occur. Involving students in summer reading programs is an important part of an effective strategy to close the achievement gap.

The New York State Library’s Statewide Summer Reading Program is an example of an effective voluntary summer reading program. It is planned and implemented collaboratively with local public libraries and is free to students and their families. Over 1 million students participated in 2005. The 2006 Statewide Summer Reading Program, Books: A Treasure, is getting underway. The official kick-off will be in June. Educators and school administrators are encouraged to share information with school library media specialists, teachers, and parents about this program and to investigate other voluntary summer reading programs offered by their local public libraries.

More information about Books: A Treasure can be accessed at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/. A manual for those planning summer reading programs can be found online at http://www.summerreadingnys.org/planners.html.

04/14/2006