By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A top state educational official says the state's free summer reading program available at thousands of libraries can help avoid the "fall back" in achievement many students suffer each fall.
State Regents Chancellor Robert Bennett says the program involved 1.2 million children last summer. The Summer Reading Program encourages reading, but doesn't require a certain number or choices of books. Instead, librarians will help children find books that interest them.
Bennett says the program helps avoid the slide of reading and writing skills over the nearly three-month break.
This summer's program is being promoted with the movie "Nancy Drew," based on the longtime series of youth novels.
More information, in nine languages, is available through the State Library web site under statewide summer reading.