Poetry Out Loud!
Registration deadline is Oct. 2, 2023
What is Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. POL is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies.
Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has grown to reach more than 4.1 million students and 68,000 teachers from 17,000 schools and organizations in every state, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
And there is an app to allow students to easily find, save, and practice poems for the competition anywhere, anytime!
Why Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud is such a valuable experience for students. Higher academic performance is the first example:
- POL students said the process of deeply analyzing, memorizing, and interpreting poetry challenged them and fostered skills they applied in their English Language Arts courses as well as other subjects (e.g. history and even science), such as improved writing and analytical skills.
- Students and teachers likened poetry study to “resistance training with analyzing.” Students reported that while they find poetry challenging and complex, its short form helps to build critical stamina, allowing students take more time for deeper analysis.
- Participating POL students were 1.7 times more likely to have 4-year college or graduate school aspirations than non-participants, even after researchers controlled for other factors.
Study findings show that participation in POL can help schools become vibrant learning spaces and support students in their academic, literary, and social-emotional development.
- POL can have a positive influence on school culture by providing more avenues for self-expression.
- POL competitions can enhance school reputations and serve as a community-builder.
- Participation in POL can forge stronger connections between teachers and students.
- POL permits teachers to contribute to the school outside their usual formats; it nurtures teachers’ own creativity.
- Through their shared experience, POL can bring together students who may not have otherwise formed connections.
