As part of the new DPS literacy program, all students are being asked to read one million words a year, Superintendent Jerry Wartgow announced at a press conference today.

To help students achieve the million-word goal, DPS is working with parents, the Denver Public Library, community groups and the faith community. All schools are working on the goal with special bulletin boards, events and activities. Each school has a lending library that students may use.

“To reach their million-word goal, students will have to read at home as well as at school. Parents, we need your help,” said Superintendent Wartgow. The district is providing brochures and fliers about the program to parents as well as sending home tips on how to encourage children to read.

Wartgow noted that the Million Words Campaign will help meet district goals and encouraged local businesses and community groups to become partners in the project.

“Reading one million words is a worthy and reasonable goal. If students read one million words every year, they will develop their fluency in reading and improve their vocabulary,” said Sally Mentor Hay, Chief Academic Officer.

This year, DPS elementary students are reading and writing for three hours every day in school, and it’s important that they continue their reading practice at home.

Families are encouraged to obtain library cards, and school and public libraries are working together on special events. Every DPS student will receive a Million Word bookmark, and posters are being distributed to all schools and around the community.

Why one million words? Research indicates that a good way to increase student achievement is by encouraging reading. A 1994 study by R.C. Rogers showed that frequent readers showed higher reading achievement. A 1999 study (John Guthrie, Allan Wigfield, Jamie Metsala and Kathleen Cox) showed that reading volume predicted reading comprehension achievement.

A 1988 study of out-of-school reading by R. Anderson, P. Wilson and L. Fielding showed that fifth grade students who achieved in the 90th percentile read 40 minutes a day and 2.3 million words a year. Students at the 50th percentile read 12 minutes or 600,000 words; and students at the 10th percentile, two minutes and 50,000 words.

Reading one million words means 25 chapter books per year for a fifth grader or about four books per day for a first grader.

Business or community groups that would like to help with the Million Words Campaign should call Christine Smith, School Community Partnership office, 720-423-3580.