In 2018, Robstown Independent School District (ISD), located just outside Corpus Christi, Texas, set out on a district-wide mission to ignite a passion for independent reading among its students. With five schools and 2,588 students—72.7% identifying as minority—the district needed a platform to engage its diverse student population, from elementary to high school. Enter Beanstack, the chosen tool to power their journey toward building a vibrant reading culture.
Now, six years later, Robstown ISD’s reading culture is thriving. Educators and administrators across the district have seen sustained improvement in reading engagement, even throughout the challenges posed by the pandemic. According to Jessica Juarez, district librarian at Robstown Early College High School, "Students are active participants in our reading culture and continue to motivate each other, creating more and more positive momentum."
From Challenges to Triumphs in Reading Engagement
Before implementing Beanstack, students at Robstown ISD saw reading as a task rather than an enjoyable experience. Their previous reading program, Accelerated Reader, offered little flexibility and did not inspire students to read independently. However, introducing Beanstack allowed for personalized reading experiences tailored to each student’s abilities and interests.
“What inspired me about Beanstack was the ability to get to the root cause of low reading motivation,” Juarez shared. “Here was a platform designed to increase motivation by actually getting students excited to read.” The result? A shift from reading as a checkbox activity to a joyful, communal experience supporting creativity and independent growth.
See how Beanstack stacks up to Accelerated Reader
Reading Challenges Take Engagement to New Heights
One key element of Beanstack’s success at Robstown ISD is the innovative use of themed reading challenges. Each year, the district launches a new overarching theme that ties into each reading challenge throughout the school year. For the 2023-2024 school year, the theme is “Passport to Reading,” which allows students to embark on a literary adventure across different genres, culminating in a celebratory conclusion at the end of each challenge.
These challenges have not only engaged students but have also become a way for families and teachers to rally around a shared reading culture. With frequent celebrations and “shout-outs” during school announcements, the district has built an environment where reading accomplishments are both visible and celebrated.
A Thriving Reading Culture Takes Root
Despite initial hurdles during the pandemic, Robstown ISD is now seeing real progress in its mission to foster a love of reading. Participation in reading challenges has surged, with a 25% increase at the high school level and a remarkable 70% increase at the junior high. Additionally, book circulation has skyrocketed by 63%, and participation in Family Literacy Nights has risen by nearly 35%.
“Students are more motivated to read regularly—that lifelong habit we want to create,” Juarez noted. “Our reading culture is now being nourished not only as a solitary activity but as a dynamic and central part of our community.”
Want to learn more about Robstown ISD’s journey to a thriving reading culture? Download the full case study and discover how Beanstack can transform reading motivation in your district.