New Tools Help Teachers Improve Student Literacy

(NAPSI)–Many people don’t know this, but a few short videos can make a big difference in education in America.The ProblemThe National Assessment of Educational Progress, an organization that measures academic performance of students from across the country, has long term data that shows 9-year-old students scored, on average, five points lower in reading in 2022 than did their pre-pandemic peers in 2020. The declines represent the largest drops in decades.Fortunately, educators don’t have to combat this issue alone. As part of the Discover Literacy education program, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, National Afterschool Association and Discovery Education created five short, animated videos to help teachers and other school professionals master best practices for literacy instruction. “The 5 Basic Skills of Literacy” series offers concise two-minute explainer videos that delve into the foundations of the science of reading. Each video focuses on one of the five fundamental components of effective reading instruction:• Phonological Awareness: Understanding the sound structures of language.• Phonics: Connecting letters to sounds and forming words.• Fluency: Reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression.• Vocabulary: Recognizing and understanding the meaning of words.• Comprehension: Grasping the meaning and interpretation of what’s read.To further support educators, there are 15 compact “microlearning” modules. Each takes just 6 to 8 minutes to complete and provides turnkey strategies and activities to use with students. Upon completion of each module a certificate of completion is issued.  They’re part of the Discovery Education and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s new education initiative–Discover Literacy–designed to support the development of critical literacy skills in K-2 students. It offers teachers, students, and caregivers access to a powerful suite of in-school and after-school digital resources at no cost.Flexibly designed for students at all reading levels, these resources are easy to use with little to no prep; they can provide equitable access to high quality literacy education for students from every background.Who They AreDiscovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement.The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries.Learn MoreFor further facts, visit www.discoverliteracydg.com. You can view the videos at www.dlc.com/DG-NAPS-Videos.