Children Reading Below Level Will Receive Free Books From State

Tampa FL

28 July, 2021

2:54 PM

Description

FLORIDA — Children in kindergarten through fifth grade who are reading below grade level will receive a gift delivered to their home courtesy of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. Following his approval of House Bill 3 on June 29, DeDeSantis announced that Florida is investing $270 million in literacy initiatives throughout the state. HB 3 created the "New Worlds Reading Initiative," Florida's first statewide book distribution program. Through this new program, children in kindergarten through fifth grade who are reading below grade level are eligible to receive free, high-quality books delivered directly to their home. In addition to the New Worlds Reading Initiative, which represents a $200 million investment, Florida is also using $71 million to fund and support other literacy initiatives. "As a father of three young children, I want every child to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential," DeSantis said. "The biggest difference we can make in setting Florida children up for success is making sure they know how to read. I'm proud to celebrate these investments in literacy today that ensure every student – regardless of their socio-economic status – has access to free, high-quality books." "Literacy is foundational to learning and is probably the most pressing issue facing our students today," said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. "Education is freedom – the great equalizer. Research shows that providing books to students both empowers parents to engage with their child's reading activities and improves the student's reading skills. I deeply appreciate Gov. DeSantis' and legislative leaders' focus on reading and literacy, and putting our students on a path to a great life." "Gov. DeSantis has made access to quality education and early learning a priority in his administration, and the work he and Commissioner Corcoran have done will have a positive impact on students for generations to come," said House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor. "The profound effect providing books and materials to empower children and parents is immeasurable. If one book serves to inspire one child or enable one family to break the cycle of generational poverty so many struggling readers face, then every moment spent on this initiative will have been worth it." "Reading is the first tool in the toolbox for a child to build the foundation of a better life," said Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills. "As a father to three young children, I know that reading helps them to explore the world within the pages and opens their minds to greater possibilities." The $200 million in funding for The New Worlds Reading Initiative will be used for book distribution. The additional $71 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations will fund other literacy initiatives including: $61 million to support direct student interventions, including targeted individual or small group literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through first grade;$4 million to provide elementary school principals and assistant principals with effective practices to help them focus on improving literacy within their schools;$3 million for Literacy Coach Boot Camps to improve the skills and proficiency of literacy coaches; and$2.8 million to continue statewide progress monitoring through the Department of Education for grades kindergarten through eight. The federal coronavirus funding has also allowed the state to make other investments in schools: In early May, DeSantis signed two bills, HBs 419 and HB 7011, which allow districts to use existing allocations to fund intensive interventions for prekindergarten students, create a coordinated system of statewide literacy support and create a new initiative to recruit high school rising seniors to serve as literacy tutors for struggling kindergarten through third-grade students.Florida allocated $215 million to provide teachers and principals with $1,000 payments in recognition of their dedication to Florida's students throughout the 2020-21 school year.Florida allocated another $550 million – an increase of $50 million – to further its commitment to raising the minimum teacher salary to $47,500.Florida used $35 million in CARES Act funding last school year for other literacy initiatives.