Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Thursday, September 3, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Adoption of Proclamation - "Read to Me" Day - September 8, 2009 (Adult and Community Education-Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In recognition of “International Literacy Day,” the Department of Adult and Community Education promotes reading to young children and adults each year during September, National Literacy Month. Family literacy programs focus on processes to develop attitudes, skills, and understandings that enable parents to be effective partners in their children’s education. "Read to Me" is such an initiative. The major goal of the "Read to Me" campaign is to promote the premise: Home is the First School, Parents are the First Teachers, and Reading is the First Lesson.

The month of September 2009 will focus on the "Read to Me" campaign throughout Hillsborough County. The first in the series of events to kick off the campaign is the request that the School Board proclaim September 8, 2009, as “Read to Me" day and dedicate school district efforts to promote parent involvement and adult education and family literacy initiatives.

The Department of Adult and Community Education supports this initiative and will offer technical assistance to adult educators, elementary schools, and child care providers. Schools will be provided ideas from activities suggested by the National Coalition for Literacy, including a master copy of a parent handout to be distributed to parents encouraging them to read with their children and implement literacy activities in the home.

The importance of reading is an essential part of all Adult and Community Education programs. Additional emphasis is being placed on reading for adult learners to further develop their abilities to read to their children and be involved with their children’s education, while developing their own workplace readiness and life skills. This is expected to translate into children with improved pre-literacy and reading skills, as well as increased family involvement with schools.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

No Financial Impact

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Iowana Whitman-Tims, District Resource Teacher for Family Literacy

Elsa A. Tuggle
Director, Adult and Community Education
(813) 740-7762
Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090903_360 * Section C Item# 01