Nancy Evans Reading Center expands literacy partnerships, serving 1,367 students across Southeast Texas

The Nancy Evans Reading Center within Lamar University's College of Education and Human Development expanded its regional literacy partnerships during the 2026 school year, serving approximately 1,367 students across five Southeast Texas school districts, according to an interim summary report released June 26, 2026.

"The work of the Nancy Evans Reading Center demonstrates the transformative power of partnerships. When universities, school districts, families, and communities unite around a common purpose, extraordinary things happen for children," Dean of the College of Education and Human Development Dr. Johnny O'Connor said.

The regional literacy initiative focused on strengthening foundational literacy skills for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, increasing family engagement, and providing access to university-supported instructional resources and literacy programming. More than 7,500 literacy materials and take-home reading resources were distributed across participating districts.

The initiative partnered with Dayton ISD, Port Arthur ISD, Channelview ISD, Sheldon ISD, and Beaumont ISD, supporting a range of programs, including STAAR-focused literacy boot camps, summer literacy camps, virtual instruction, and family engagement events.

In Dayton ISD, the Nancy Evans Reading Center implemented a five-day STAAR Literacy Motivational Bootcamp at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, serving approximately 450 sixth-grade students. The program focused on reading comprehension strategies, including context clues, inferencing, close reading, and evidence-based responses. District data showed increases in the number of students meeting and approaching proficiency standards on STAAR assessments compared to spring interim results, along with a decrease in students performing below grade level.

In Port Arthur ISD, the Titan Summer LitCamp served 584 students and included structured literacy instruction, family engagement events, and take-home reading libraries. The kickoff event included families, district leaders, and community partners.

Channelview ISD's summer literacy program served 273 students in kindergarten through second grade, focusing on foundational reading skills identified through MAP assessment data and supported by hands-on instructional materials.

Sheldon ISD's Camp Ignite Virtual Literacy Program provided remote literacy instruction and family engagement supports for first- and second-grade students through a blended online learning model.

"We are proud of the impact these initiatives are having across Southeast Texas and of the opportunities they create for students to strengthen their literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading," O'Connor said. "At Lamar University, we remain committed to supporting educators, strengthening our school partnerships, and helping every student build the strong foundation necessary for future success."

The Nancy Evans Reading Center plans to continue expanding its literacy partnerships during the 2026-27 school year, with an emphasis on educator collaboration, family engagement, and evidence-based literacy instruction across Southeast Texas.

To learn more about the College of Education and Human Development, visit https://www.lamar.edu/education/.