Washington, DC (August 6, 2008) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa announced today that the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District has been selected to receive a grant for $300,215 from the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will go toward the implementation of the Libraries Educating All Readers Now! (LEARN!), a comprehensive program to improve the reading skills and academic achievement of approximately 3,844 children in six of the urban district’s most needy and poorly performing elementary schools.

“This is a very important grant that will encourage students to develop an interest in reading, which is essential to their future development,” said Hinojosa. “Unfortunately, too many of our students struggle with reading and do not have access to the resources they need to improve. This funding will go a long way toward broadening our students’ horizons and helping them get ahead in school.”

The funding will allow the school district to provide students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials, a technologically advanced school library media center and professionally certified school library media specialist to improve literacy skills and achievement of students.

The district will ensure equitable access for participation in all LEARN! program activities. Special education teachers will collaborate with school librarians to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are met. The proposed additions to library collections include multicultural texts that reduce gender stereotyping, as well as high interest, low-level reading materials suitable for students at various reading levels, including English Language Learners. 

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