What’s not to love about a project focused on improving reading access and technology use for Houston families—bringing together children, parents, PTOs/PTAs, experienced teachers, and UHD students from multiple fields of study?
This two-year effort to grow the UHD bilingual e-library was developed by Dr. Irene Chen, Professor of Education in the Department of Urban Education at UHD’s College of Public Service, and Dr. Maria Bhattacharjee, a former UHD Associate Professor of Education. They recently received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Commerce that their proposal was awarded $2,470,225.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on workforce readiness and, in turn, the local economy, as the City of Houston works to raise overall reading levels. Its benefits extend beyond Houston, since the bilingual e-library will be accessible worldwide.
“During the development of our 2022–2027 Strategic Plan: A New Paradigm, we set our sights on becoming an Anchor Institution for the region,” said President Blanchard. “This project shows what it means for UHD to be a strong partner for the city—not only by offering an online library focused on supporting Houston families, but also as a tool to help strengthen the regional workforce.”
According to the Houston Adult Reading Blueprint Executive Summary Report, published by the Mayor’s Office for Adult Education and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the city’s economic growth is directly related to reading skill development. The report noted, “Harris County’s economy could grow by $13 billion if adults with lower reading levels improved their skills by even one level.” It also pointed out that many Houston households still face barriers in technology access—about 142,650 homes don’t have a computer, and nearly 267,250 don’t have broadband internet.
The Project
Ten UHD students with bilingual skills and two reading specialists will support 240 families in creating meaningful, original stories over the course of the two-year project. These stories will become part of the expanded UHD e-library. Through this collaboration, families will learn how to use the e-library for independent learning and to engage in reading and writing activities at home with their children.
“Teachers connected to UHD also play a key role in helping prepare individuals for future job opportunities in Houston,” said Chen. “That’s why it’s important to support educators as well. UHD teacher candidates and current educators from seven elementary schools will be invited to take part in training sessions focused on reading comprehension strategies using the e-library.”
Additionally, representatives from each school’s parent-teacher group will visit UHD monthly to explore how to help students stay on track toward completing a college degree and to better understand how the e-library can support learning at home. All parents from these schools will also have access to the sessions virtually. A group of 19 UHD students from various programs—including Education, Communication, and Technology—will work together to build a learning network that connects families and teachers through the e-library platform.
“The goal is that, over time, families will strengthen their reading habits and become more confident using technology as a tool for learning,” said Bhattacharjee. “These skills will help more individuals prepare for future workforce opportunities in Houston.”
About the University of Houston-Downtown
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year institution led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Each year, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, has more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 fully online programs across four colleges: the Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD is recognized for having one of the most affordable tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News & World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse also included UHD in its 2024 rankings of top colleges in the U.S., highlighting strong student experience.
For more information about the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
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