MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis-Shelby County Schools is working to improve literacy for all students across the district. One of the ways they are doing that is with special assistants at area schools.
Thursday, Dec. 14, the district showed off specialized education assistants available to help elementary students At Willow Oaks improve their reading skills.
"I love being with the children. Every day, they just bring so much joy to the job and I've been doing this, this is like year 15 for me. This is a passion of mine,” said Nicole Wilson, a Willow Oaks Elementary Education Assistant.
That special education assistant also told ABC25 the best part of her day is positive reinforcement when she sees students of all elementary grades showing improvement.
This comes as the district moves through the second year of third grade retention law, in which students can't move on to fourth grade unless they pass the TCAP reading test or show improvements in summer school.
Monday, Dec. 18, MSCS introduced the Senior Reading Advisors at Sherwood Middle School. Struggling sixth and ninth graders will be able to meet with advisors to learn some of the reading skills they might have missed along the way.
One advisor told ABC24 this program accelerates kid's literacy in just a few months, and that she loves seeing her students grow through her class.
