Jackson Public Schools wins literacy award
JANS – Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, with the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), a coalition of 81 of the nation’s largest urban public school systems, announced Jackson Public Schools as the fifth annual winner of the Richard M. Robinson Literacy Champion Award. Named in honor of the late Scholastic Chairman and CEO, this annual award recognizes a CGCS member school district for demonstrated progress in advancing reading achievement with the goal of further supporting gains by increasing access to digital and print books, magazines, and materials within the district.
“At Scholastic, we believe literacy is the foundation for equity and opportunity,” said Tai Chapman, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships at Scholastic Education. “Dr. Greene, his team, and Jackson Public Schools’ commitment to expanding access to books and fostering a culture of reading reflect the very spirit of the Richard M. Robinson Literacy Champion Award. We are honored to celebrate their achievements and to support their continued efforts to ensure every child has the chance to thrive through the power of reading.”
As the Richard M. Robinson Literacy Champion Award-winner, Jackson Public Schools is provided the opportunity to select a site for a school library makeover. This spring, Shirley Elementary will receive a donation of more than 6,000 high-quality books, and every enrolled student will receive a summer book pack of 10 titles to take home and own, encouraging independent reading beyond the classroom. In addition, the school will also receive a one-year site license to Scholastic Literacy Pro, an award-winning blended learning program that provides 24/7 access to more than 2,500 fiction and nonfiction e-books for purposeful independent reading, allowing personalized student choice while providing teachers with real-time data to inform instruction. The prizing will help Jackson Public Schools increase access to books and educational resources for their students – a critical component to student success, as according to the latest Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, over half of all kids get most of the books they read for fun from a school-based source.
“Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene, Jackson Public Schools has experienced a 5 percentage point increase in literacy growth scores overall and a 3 percentage point increase in literacy growth scores among its lowest performing students in 2025,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “The gains students are making in reading reflect the hard work and initiatives implemented by the district. We are proud to partner with Scholastic to present the Richard M. Robinson Literacy Champion Award to an urban school system that continues to make progress in advancing reading achievement.”
“Reading opens doors to countless opportunities, offering access to new knowledge while cultivating imagination, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world,” said Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene. “I’m grateful for the hard work happening in our classrooms every day and for partners who believe in what our children can accomplish. This award gives us even more momentum to expand access to books and spark a deeper love of reading across our district.”
