Summer Reading Program (SAIL)
SAIL Friends,
We hope you are all healthy, well stocked with paper products, and not feeling too much anxiety as we navigate the coronavirus crisis. The changes brought about by COVID-19 are impacting every aspect of our lives and work. The situation at the UF Literacy Institute (UFLI) has been evolving rapidly, and we have been reluctant to share information before it has been confirmed. We are now certain about some developments.
The university recently announced that instruction at UF, and the programs associated with it, will look very different in the coming months; our Summer Adventures in Literacy (SAIL) program has been affected, as well. After seven years of offering our intensive summer reading program, we are heartbroken to tell you that we will not be able to hold SAIL this year as originally planned.
One positive outcome of this situation is that it has forced us all to recalibrate the way we do things, and from that has come innovation. The UF Literacy Institute is exploring creative ways to connect students with reading interventions virtually, and we will keep you posted about opportunities we may be able to offer in the future. In the meantime, please visit our Parent Resource Hub at www.education.ufl.edu/ufli/parent-resources for a curated collection of information for parents and activities for students of all ages.
Of course this is not goodbye, just see you later. We know that we will all get through this unprecedented time, and we look forward to offering SAIL again next summer.
What is SAIL?
SAIL is a four-week summer reading program that employs evidence-based intervention methods. With an adult to child ratio of approximately 1:4, students receive individualized instruction, specifically tailored to address their reading difficulties.
Small-group and one-on-one reading tutoring during SAIL is conducted both by SAIL teachers and by UF graduate student reading specialist interns, under the supervision of UF faculty and SAIL teachers.
Who is eligible to attend SAIL?
SAIL is open to students currently in grades 1-5 with documented difficulties in reading. This documentation may include (a) a prior diagnosis of dyslexia or a specific learning disability (SLD) in reading, (b) a record of significantly below-benchmark performance on standardized tests, or (c) results from UFLI screening assessment.
All potential participants must also be screened by UFLI personnel to ensure that the program is a good match for the student’s needs. After you have submitted an application, UFLI staff will contact you to schedule a screening appointment.
Why should my child attend SAIL?
Data from previous summers indicate that students who attend SAIL make significant gains in their reading achievement.
We know that reading achievement declines when struggling readers do not attend a summer reading program.
State benchmarks for promotion and graduation focus heavily on reading skills. Standards for promotion from 3rd grade and graduation from high school are set in state law and measured by student performance on state assessments.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about SAIL or the application process, please contact us below or call 352-294-2751.
What else do I need to know about SAIL?
SAIL enrollment is limited and will be offered to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students who register for SAIL are expected to arrive on time and attend every day.
A parent-student-teacher meeting is a unique and important component of SAIL. We will provide opportunities for you to learn how to become more involved with your child’s reading and to share your child’s reading progress.
How do I register my child for SAIL?
Applications for SAIL generally become available in February of each year.
