Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz works with Kingston City Schools on innovative summer literacy academy
A groundbreaking summer initiative at the Kingston City School District, developed in tandem with the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz, is reimagining how educators can best support students with below grade-level reading skills.
Designed as an alternative to traditional summer school, the new Rising 9 Literacy Academy sought to help incoming ninth graders whose reading scores are below three grade levels according to the i-Ready diagnostic assessment.
The Academy is led by Sarah Holbrook ’05 (Elementary Education) ’06g (Special Education) ’17g (Literacy), who serves as both Director of Humanities for the Kingston City School District and as a Fellow at the Science of Reading Center.
“We’re changing these kids’ lives in a short amount of time,” said Holbrook. “This program demonstrates what happens when we get creative in helping students catch up.”
For four weeks in July, the Academy delivered a pivotal experience for students and educators through evidence-based instruction, professional collaboration and a close partnership between the District and the University.
Each day delivered intensive instruction in phonics, reading and writing to the cohort of rising ninth graders. The results were easy to notice: Students averaged an improvement in reading rate from 91 to 110 words correct per minute.
“Their progress has exceeded my expectations,” Holbrook said.
This new initiative produced a dynamic, reciprocal learning environment where rising high school students received targeted and high-quality instruction equipping them with the right tools to succeed in high school and beyond, regardless of reading level, while educators exchanged best practices on teaching literacy in modern times.
Two of those educators are current graduate degree candidates in New Paltz’s Literacy Education program. Sydney Cipriano ’23 (Early Childhood and Childhood Education) ’25g (Literacy Education) and Jill Backus ’25g (Literacy Education) provided instruction in the academy, implementing skills and techniques under the guidance and mentorship of veteran educators.
“It was great to see in person how this systematic instruction that I’ve been learning online benefits students of all ages,” said Cipriano, a former SUNY New Paltz President’s Award winner currently teaching at Webetuck Elementary School in Amenia, New York.
About the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz
Founded in 2023, the Science of Reading Center at New Paltz supports educators across New York and beyond through research-backed professional learning, microcredential programs and partnerships with schools and districts. The Center’s mission is to empower educators with the knowledge and the tools to improve literacy outcomes for all learners.
The Science of Reading Fundamentals microcredential is growing, enrolling nearly 11,000 K-12 educators thus far. Click here for more information.