PRESIDENT BUSH PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE
FUNDING FOR READING IS FUNDAMENTAL'S HISTORIC BOOK DISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM
~ Program Serves
4.6 Million of the Nation's Most At-Risk Children ~
February 2008
Washington, D.C. - President
Bush's new budget proposes the elimination of Reading
Is Fundamental's (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution
program. Elimination of the program would be devastating
to the 4.6 million children and their families who receive
free books and reading encouragement from RIF programs
at nearly 20,000 locations throughout the U.S.
Unless Congress reinstates
funding for this program, RIF would be unable to distribute
16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and
most at-risk children. RIF programs in schools, childcare
centers, migrant program, military bases, and other
locations serve children from low-income families, children
with disabilities, foster and homeless children, and
children without access to libraries.
The Inexpensive Book Distribution
program is authorized under the Elementary & Secondary
Education Act (SEC.5451 Inexpensive Book Distribution
Program for Reading Motivation) and is not funded through
earmarks. It has been funded by Congress and six Administrations
without interruption since 1975.
Since its founding in 1966,
RIF's programs have played an important role in improving
literacy in this country. The U.S. Department of Education
has shown that the number of books in a child's home
is a significant predictor of academic achievement.
In addition, RIF programs also support academic achievement
by involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers and
other caring adults in encouraging children to read
for fun. The organization is urging all Americans to
contact their Congressional representatives and ask
them to reinstate funding for this important program.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF),
founded in 1966, is the nation's oldest and largest
nonprofit children and families' literacy organization.
Because research has shown the importance of early childhood
language development, RIF's highest priority is reaching
underserved children from birth to age 8.
In 2007, RIF distributed 16
million books to 4.6 million children at nearly 20,000
locations, including schools, clinics, Head Start centers,
and other sites throughout the U.S. The organization's
website offers educators, parents, and children advice
and activities that support literacy. For more information,
visit www.RIF.org.
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