The Mississippi Department of Education will host nine regional literacy meetings beginning Sept. 8 across the state for families of students in kindergarten through third grade.

All meetings are 6-7 p.m. and no registration is required.

Southwest Mississippi meetings will be in McComb Thursday, Sept. 8, at McComb High School Cafeteria, and in Natchez Tuesday, Sept. 13, at McLaurin Elementary.

Other meetings will be in Holly Springs, Cleveland, Flowood, Jackson, Moss Point, Columbus and Yazoo City.

At each meeting, families will receive an overview of state law concerning literacy and assessment as well as strategies that can be used at home to help students improve their reading skills. The state law — the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, or LBPA — focuses on prevention and intervention to help children develop the reading skills required for fourth grade. Family engagement is also a critical component of a student’s reading success.

For more information on the program or meetings, visit mdek12.org/Literacy. For helpful resources and activities, visit strongreadersms.com.