How much do Annual Book Fairs improve student reading achievement?

NCDPI and The Duke Endowment are scaling the evidence-based Annual Book Fairs program and are still seeking North Carolina districts and schools that want to participate.

To learn more and apply, visit the NCDPI page with full context and participation details: NCDPI Comprehensive and Targeted Support - Annual Book Fairs.

Annual Book Fairs is an evidence-based summer reading intervention designed to reduce summer learning loss by increasing students' access to high-interest, self-selected books. Prior randomized evaluations of this model have found meaningful improvements in reading outcomes, with effects reported at roughly one-third to nearly one-half of a grade level in upper elementary grades.

Building on that evidence, NCDPI and The Duke Endowment are partnering to expand implementation in North Carolina public schools while conducting an independent evaluation of outcomes when implemented at scale. Can the program's demonstrated impacts be replicated under statewide conditions and sustained through district and school partnerships?

The program provides students with opportunities to select and keep books before summer break for three consecutive years, with fairs held at participating schools each spring. The initiative is designed as a universal school-based model for eligible grade cohorts.

The Duke Endowment board approved up to $1.95 million in philanthropic funding for this initiative, structured as a 1:1 match with participating PSU funding over the project period.

NCDPI guidance indicates that PSUs can use existing federal school improvement funds for eligible CSI/TSI contexts (including PRC 0105-related streams and braided public funds, as applicable) as their contribution. Using those funds can unlock the matching Duke Endowment contribution.

The materials describe a total program cost of approximately $300-$400 per student (depending on available book pricing), with flexible timing of matching contributions across the multi-year implementation window.

For the authoritative terms and current details, see the source memo: TDE's matched funding offer - Annual Book Fairs - 01.10.2026.

The evaluation will confirm whether Annual Book Fairs can be implemented effectively at scale in North Carolina schools and whether it improves student outcomes in this context.

Results will inform decisions about whether and how to continue expanding and funding Annual Book Fairs as a sustained statewide strategy.

The initiative includes an independent evaluation design and school-level selection procedures to support rigorous impact analysis. Participating schools and districts should expect coordination on implementation and evaluation data needs through NCDPI and the study team.

This posting is not recruiting external researchers. The evaluation team is already selected.

Desired participants are district and school leaders who can support implementation planning, school coordination, and participation in evaluation activities.

This opportunity is targeted to North Carolina Public School Units and elementary schools, with priority focus on CSI-designated, TSI-designated, and/or Title I elementary schools, consistent with NCDPI materials.