Education Secretary Rod Paige today announced a $4.5 million grant to help the nation's minority-serving higher education institutions prepare future teachers on how to teach reading using scientifically proven instruction methods. Paige made the announcement as he kicked off the annual celebration of the nation's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which are being recognized for their valuable contributions to America's economic, cultural and social progress.

The Reading First Teacher Preparation Network, a partnership with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), will enhance teacher preparation programs in reading by engaging colleges and universities in realigning their reading instruction programs with effective research-based practices.

"As educators, we know how important reading is, and you can't read to learn until you learn to read," Secretary Paige said. "President Bush is investing a historic $5 billion in his Reading First Program to make sure that our current teachers have the support and assistance they need to teach reading using the very best methods. But we'll keep losing ground if our schools continue to produce teachers who haven't had access to these methods.

"That's why today, I'm announcing a $4.5 million grant to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. This initiative will allow reading professors from 25 institutions to participate in the best training available on scientifically based reading instruction, which will help ensure that their students--who are our future teachers--have a solid foundation. We know from research that the key to a child's success in school is to have a good teacher, and I have full confidence that with the right kind of support, all of our teaching institutions can continue to produce the world-class teachers our students need and deserve."

The reading network is a collaboration between the Department of Education, the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, NCATE, the Center for Reading and Language Arts and minority-serving institutions across the nation.

Paige also announced in his keynote remarks that he has asked Morehouse School of Medicine President and former Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan to chair the president's advisory board on HBCUs. Dr. Sullivan will be meeting with the secretary or administrator of every federal agency to garner a closer cooperation between HBCUs and federal agencies.

President Bush proclaimed Sept. 14-20 as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. Secretary Paige was the keynote speaker at the conference, "Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Storied Past, A Challenging Present, A Bright Future," which brings together more than 500 of the nation's college, business and government leaders to highlight the accomplishments and achievements of HBCUs and to discuss many of the critical issues that are currently impacting institutions of higher education.

"As African Americans, we have a great history and we have an even greater future. We have the chance to make even greater strides in the weeks and years ahead," Paige said. "I know that students from historically black colleges and universities will be at the forefront of that effort, helping to shape our nation's future."

Other speakers at the three-day conference include: Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Deputy CIA Director John E. McLaughlin, former Congressman J.C. Watts, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Andrew Natsios, Education Department General Counsel Brian Jones, Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Gerald Reynolds, Counselor to the Education Secretary for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wilbert Bryant, Norfolk State University President Marie McDemmond, National Center for Black Philanthropy President and Chief Executive Officer Rodney Jackson, Bethune-Cookman College President Oswald P. Bronson Sr. and Albany State University President Portia Holmes Shields.

President Bush established the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to strengthen the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide excellence in education and successfully compete for federal grants, contracts or federally sponsored programs. Secretary Paige's office coordinates the initiative and provides staff and support to the HBCU advisory board.

The nation's 105 HBCUs include 40 public four-year, 11 public two-year, 49 private four-year, and five private two-year institutions. Most are more than 100 years old, with Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837, being the oldest of these institutions.

The complete text of Secretary Paige's prepared remarks can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2003/09/09152003.html.

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