NYC Reads

What is NYC Reads?

NYC Reads is an initiative to help all NYC Public Schools students build strong literacy skills. Literacy skills (like reading, speaking, listening, and writing) are essential. They will help our students become critical thinkers who will solve the problems of the future, lead fulfilling lives, and strengthen our communities.

As part of NYC Reads, all K-5 schools use research-based literacy programs. Our district uses HMH Into Reading. This program (or curriculum) helps our children develop key reading skills and build knowledge about rich topics, like the Civil Rights Movement, the sea, or animal characteristics.

The research behind the program is called the “Science of Reading.” It shows that we read by decoding (or sounding out) and understanding texts. To decode and understand, there are five skills teachers will help your child build:

hearing sounds in words (phonemic awareness),
knowing the sounds letters make (phonics),
knowing words (vocabulary),
reading smoothly (fluency), and
understanding what words and texts mean (comprehension).

Even though the same reading program is being used across our district, teachers do not provide “one-size-fits-all” instruction. Teachers assess students’ skills (with check-ups called “screeners”) to make sure they receive instruction based on their needs.

How can I learn more?

Reach out to us to learn more about literacy instruction at our school.
To see the family resources for our reading program, visit Promote a School to Home Connection with Family Room (open external link)
To access free e-books in 20 languages, visit our digital library app, Sora (open external link).
To learn more about the assessments we use to understand your child’s progress, visit the “Literacy Assessments (open external link)” section of the NYCPS website.

For additional NYCPS family resources to support your child at home, visit Literary Resources for Families (open external link).