Idaho Commission for Libraries

Background:
Studies have indicated that students who participate in summer reading programs maintain or increase their reading levels when they return to school [Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling (Academic Press, 1978), Barbara Heyns].

Since 2004, the number of Idaho children participating in summer reading has increased 62 percent, from 27,610 to 44,600 in 2007. This pilot study is intended to investigate the reading achievement of participants from five Idaho towns who offer Summer Reading programs. The results from the pilot will be used to provide data for a future experimental study. The Idaho Commission for Libraries will share the results with participating schools and public libraries.

Objective:
To measure whether k-3 students who participate in library summer reading programs have a higher reading proficiency at the beginning of the school year than their peers

Methodology
Note: In order to participate in the study, the elementary school must have at least 130 k-3 students enrolled and the public library must have at least 34 k-3 students completing their Summer Reading program.

Public library staff would

1. Determine definition of Summer Reading “completion”
2. Give names of students completing Summer Reading to school staff
3. Provide aggregated IRI results to the Idaho Commission for Libraries

Elementary school staff would

1. Administer IRI tests as scheduled in the fall
2. Run results of Summer Reading sub-group
3. Run results of all students, minus the Summer Reading sub-group
4. Provide aggregated results to the public library staff