Recently, ExpandED Schools’ MS ExTRA Initiative celebrated its 10th anniversary with the participation of over 13 middle schools from across the city in its annual Live Projects Convening. Since its inception, the live project showcase has placed students at the center, allowing them to be creative, focus on content, and drive the process themselves. The concept is simple: organize middle schoolers into reading groups, exposing them to a wide array of culturally diverse books. These groups provide opportunities for students to speak to one another and ensure each voice is heard.
With literacy being an important part of the national educational discourse, the MS ExTRA initiative plays a vital role for students in grades 6 through 8. It is designed to help identify readers that need additional support at the start of their middle school journey. Through this model, students receive targeted literacy support during after-school hours. This approach not only promotes independent reading but also builds social-emotional skills by providing a supportive, collaborative environment.
At this age, literacy is crucial for fostering critical thinking skills. Research shows that students who engage and connect deeply with texts develop their ability to analyze, interpret, and argue based on textual evidence—skills essential for academic success and lifelong learning. Effective literacy programs are especially important for addressing literacy gaps, which are often more pronounced among students from low-income backgrounds and students of color.
Programs like MS ExTRA are essential especially as we recognize the importance of the science of reading. The science of reading is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding how individuals learn to read, drawing on research from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and education. It emphasizes evidence-based practices that support effective reading instruction, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. This approach ensures that all students, regardless of background, can achieve literacy proficiency.
Engaging middle school students in literacy involves understanding their interests and providing relevant materials. Personalizing reading selections and creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing and exploring texts can significantly boost their literacy skills. Through collaboration between the community-based organization and School, a trained literacy educator supports instruction and the overall facilitation of these groups. This personalized approach is a cornerstone of this program, which tailors book club selections to the interests.
Research gathered from students who participated in book club during the 2022-2023 school year showed that 85% of students felt their teacher cared about who they are as a person, supporting their desire to be in attendance.
Earlier this year, ExpandED Schools took over the facilitation of the NYC Reads Initiative, a collaboration with 10 organizations working together in East New York, East Harlem, and South Jamaica to promote early literacy and improve outcomes for children in these communities. This initiative, specializing in literacy development from birth to fifth grade, complements our efforts in middle school literacy, creating a continuum of support that helps students develop strong reading skills at every stage of their educational journey.
Our team of program managers works to support middle schools and educators, ensuring they have the resources and strategies needed to foster literacy success. Programs like MS ExTRA are crucial for addressing the literacy needs of middle school students, helping them build the skills necessary for success and personal growth.
Celebrate the achievements of these students and their educators by browsing the photos from our special day. We want to thank all the participating schools and extend special thanks to all educators.
We look forward to next year’s showcase!
