Family literacy is the silver bullet that helps children become effective readers. Research proves it! An analysis by Nancy Padak and Timothy Rasinski of Kent State University of more than 50 research studies found that student achievement improves when their parents are involved.

However, it is reported that 40-50% of the homes in metropolitan school districts do not have a literacy fire. District-wide 1Book reading programs can help families light the literacy fire. In some communities, local Rotary clubs are partnering with school districts to make these programs successful.

The premise of 1Book reading programs is simple but powerful. Elementary students and their families across an entire school district read the same children’s book at the same time. The community “buzz” that is created inspires families to read and discuss books with their children. Over more than four decades in education, I have seen the power of 1Book programs to ignite the literacy fire in families. Here are a few examples:

• Northumberland County Schools in Virginia saw passage rates on the statewide third-grade reading test rise from roughly 60 percent to nearly 90 percent
• Under the leadership of Kelli Cedo, Ph. D., Hampton City Schools launched a 1Book program. Noting that most public schools across the United States already have excellent teachers and administrators, Cedo said, “The missing piece of the puzzle is consistent family literacy home fires across the school division. What we provide is a common-sense approach to start literacy fires in all the students’ homes at the same time.”
• When Mike Poore became superintendent of the Little Rock School District in Arkansas five years ago, the district had been taken over by the state because of low achievement levels. Poore instituted a number of reforms, including the One Rock, One Book program. Test scores have risen dramatically, and Poore was recently recognized as Arkansas Superintendent of the Year.

Poore is a Rotarian, and he involved the local Rotary Club in providing financial support to the One Rock, One Book program. Club members also participated in judging entrepreneurial projects that students created based on the book they were reading. Other local Rotary clubs are now realizing that supporting 1Book programs also supports Rotary’s objective of promoting effective local education. We see the potential for these Rotary partnerships to fan the flames of family literacy fires across the United States.

Gary Anderson, M.Ed.
Founder of ADR 

“Since instituting HROB, Hampton City Schools has seen positive outcomes in our 24 elementary schools with an increase in reading achievement, family involvement, and community engagement. This dynamic reading event is fostering a community wide “uplift” of literacy. Our PreK-grade 5 students’ families are able to experience the enjoyment of a great book together, as they read the same chapter aloud daily in their homes. The Hampton community has also embraced HROB, creating a true community book club. Old Point National Bank has graciously sponsored HROB since the inception of the book club, helping put books in the hands of our students and growing their home libraries. Community members throughout our great city have taken the time to read chapters aloud to our students. Our very own Hampton Police Division even provided a copy of the book and the book club schedule to each officer in their department which allowed an officer to engage with a few students while patrolling the city. One of the children in the group saw a copy of the HROB book on the officer’s front seat and immediately began discussing the book. The officer asked the boys about their favorite part of the book and even quickly created some trivia questions for the students. This one example is a true testament of our community engagement and how HROB is creating a love of reading and showing our students that everyone reads. We look forward to continuing HROB as our community book club will certainly impact student and family literacy for years to come and establish literacy as a core value in our city.”

Kelli Marie Cedo, Ph.D