Literacy Campaign
January 2008
Literacy has become a telling
barometer of academic and economic success.
Struggling readers are more
likely to dropout of high school, have trouble finding
jobs, and earn less than skilled readers.
Sadly, reading scores among
African-American, Hispanic and Native American fourth
graders significantly lag behind those of white and
Asian children. According to the most recent U.S. Department
of Education data, 76 percent of white and 73 percent
of Asian children score at or above basic reading levels
compared to 42 percent of African-American, 46 percent
of Hispanic and 48 percent of Native American children.
To address this persistent
gap in minority children's reading scores, Reading Is
Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), the nation's largest and oldest
children's literacy organization, has launched a PSA
campaign to promote and support early childhood literacy
in African-American, Hispanic, and Native American communities.
We encourage you to place these 30-second PSAs in heavy
rotation from now through the end of February, so parents
can begin the New Year armed with knowledge about how
to best support their children's educational and emotional
development.
Ben Carson, Director
of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's
Center
:30 PSA Do you want your child
to have a brighter future? Research shows that the first
five years of a child's life are critical for developing
the language skills necessary for success in school.
I'm Dr. Ben Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery
at Johns Hopkins Children's Center. And I'm the son
of a single parent who took time to help me learn to
read at an early age. And like my mom, you can achieve
success with your child. Reading to your child is not
an option… It's your obligation. A message from Reading
Is Fundamental, visit rif.org.
Dorothy Strickland,
Professor of Reading at Rutgers University
:30 PSA Do you want your
child to have a brighter future? Research shows that
the first five years of a child's life are critical
for developing the language skills necessary for success
in school. And I can attest to that. I'm Dr. Dorothy
Strickland, professor of Reading at Rutgers University.
I consider my work with parents and caregivers the most
important thing I do. If you care for young children,
you can make a big difference just by reading and talking
with them every day. Reading to your child is not an
option… It's your obligation. A message from Reading
Is Fundamental, visit rif.org.
###
|
