News Summary
Derrick Johnson, former University of Texas football star, recently opened the sixth DJ’s Discovery Den at Perez Elementary School to promote literacy. The den features over 1,000 new, age-appropriate books and is integrated into the school’s Maker Space, combining reading with hands-on activities. Amid declining reading scores, this effort aims to provide students with updated and accessible materials, highlighting the need for improved school libraries and resources.
Austin – Derrick Johnson, a former University of Texas at Austin football star, recently inaugurated the sixth DJ’s Discovery Den at Perez Elementary School in South Austin. This initiative is aimed at enhancing literacy among students by transforming underused school spaces into vibrant reading hubs.
The Discovery Den at Perez Elementary School features more than 1,000 brand-new, age-appropriate books curated to foster an inviting environment for independent reading. Each den is designed to be cozy and welcoming, encouraging students to develop a love for reading.
This particular Discovery Den holds significance as it is situated inside the school’s ‘Maker Space,’ which serves as an interactive learning lab where literacy is paired with hands-on activities. The Maker Space focuses on technology and trade skills, including coding, 3D printing, and robotics.
The Maker Space was initiated last year by school librarian Randi Sather, who faced hurdles due to limited funding. Resources collected for the space have prioritized acquiring tech-focused and bilingual books, a move that acknowledges the diverse needs of the student population, especially with a substantial number of Spanish-speaking students enrolled. Approximately 50% of the book budget contributes to technology and trade topics, while 25% supports bilingual materials.
The establishment of the Discovery Den occurs during a period of concern regarding declining reading performance in Texas and across the nation. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicates a two-point decline in reading scores for both fourth and eighth graders since 2022. Notably, 40% of fourth graders scored below the Basic level, marking the highest figure recorded since 2002.
While the Austin Independent School District (AISD) has been performing above state averages in early grade reading scores, the pace of growth has decelerated. Compounding this issue, the district is grappling with a $60 million budget deficit, resulting in a hiring freeze and cuts to campus-level budgets which adversely affect resources allocated for literacy support and library enhancements.
Derrick Johnson highlights the pressing need for improvements in school libraries, noting that many have not been updated in over 20 years, with some collections still dating back to the 1990s. AISD Superintendent Matias Segura, along with leaders from the Austin Ed Fund, has stressed the necessity for increased support to sustain initiatives like DJ’s Discovery Den, particularly in light of persistent stagnation in public school funding.
In addition to the Discovery Den at Perez Elementary, Johnson’s foundation is also planning to open its seventh Den at Palm Elementary School in Fall 2023, which is also located in South Austin. This ongoing commitment to enhancing literacy resources aims to address the urgent need for more updated and accessible reading materials for students, nurturing a new generation of readers and learners.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Derrick Johnson
- Statesman
- Google Search: Derrick Johnson Discovery Den
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Derrick Johnson Literacy
- Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Education
- KXAN
- Google News: Austin Independent School District Budget
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