LUMBERTON — The Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) designed to enhance literacy engagement and expand opportunities for students across the district through the Battle of the Books program.
Through this collaborative initiative, students from PSRC will receive free sets of books provided through a literacy research project led by Dr. Melissa Wrenn, Joseph B. Oxendine Distinguished Scholar in Literacy Studies at UNCP. Additionally, university students will volunteer as assistant coaches for PSRC’s Battle of the Books teams, offering valuable mentorship and support to young readers as they prepare for competition. This initiative is funded by a grant from the North Carolina Collaboratory.
“This partnership represents the power of collaboration between higher education and K-12 public schools,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson. “By working together, we are creating stronger pathways for literacy growth, leadership development, and community engagement. Our students will not only gain access to more reading materials, but also the encouragement and guidance of UNCP students who share their love for learning.”
The Battle of the Books program brings students together in friendly competitions centered on the content of books they’ve read. The program is organized across four grade-level divisions: grades 2–3, elementary grades 4–5, middle grades 6–8, and high school grades 9–12.
As part of the research project, up to 450 PSRC students participating in Battle of the Books will receive a free set of books and complete pre- and post-assessments to help evaluate the program’s impact on literacy skills and community engagement.
“This is an exciting opportunity to see how literacy programs like Battle of the Books foster a lifelong love of reading,” said Dr. Melissa Wrenn, who is conducting the study. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Public Schools of Robeson County to support students, schools and families through this initiative.”
The study has been approved by both the Public Schools of Robeson County and the UNCP Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure ethical research practices and student welfare.
This partnership underscores PSRC’s ongoing commitment to its districtwide literacy emphasis—empowering students to become confident readers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.