Bennett-Armistead speaks with WVII about increasing childhood literacy
Susan Bennett-Armistead, a professor of literacy education at the University of Maine, spoke with WVII (Channel 7) at an early childhood education conference in Augusta. Presenters at the two-day event said increasing childhood literacy will boost high school graduation rates, according to the report. By eighth grade, nearly 30 percent of Maine students can’t read well enough to pass a reading proficiency test, according to data from the Maine Department of Education. “Building relationships with families is the way to build children’s literacy,” Bennett-Armistead said. Involving a child’s family is critical to instilling a love of reading, the report states. Bennett-Armistead said educators need to ask themselves how they can support families in building opportunities for them to work directly with their children to build literacy.