Received: from SMTP.nifl.gov ([198.77.188.36]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.5/8.8.5) with SMTP id SAA28802; Fri, 21 Mar 1997 18:28:04 -0500 (EST)
Received: from cc:Mail by SMTP.nifl.gov id AA858998699; Fri, 21 Mar 97 18:34:52 EST
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 97 18:34:52 EST
From: "Young, Meg" <myoung@SMTP.nifl.gov>
Encoding: 91 Text
Message-Id: <9702218589.AA858998699@SMTP.nifl.gov>
To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-fellows@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-homeless@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-learners@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-regional-hubs@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-slrc@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-urban@literacy.nifl.gov, nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov
Return-Receipt-To: myoung@SMTP.nifl.gov
Subject: Secretary of Education Kicks Off Literacy Campaign
Status: RO
Content-Length: 4851
Lines: 92
The following are the remarks of Secretary of Education Richard Riley
at this morning's launch of the National Institute for Literacy's
national literacy public awareness campaign:
"Thank you, Enrique. I want to recognize you and Elaine on your debut
as TV stars. Your public service announcement is really "must-see TV,"
and I'm sure you are going to be great role models for many Americans.
And I want to thank Carolyn Staley for inviting me to be part of this
important literacy campaign kick-off.
Supporting adult education and literacy are two of the most important
things we do at the U.S. Department of Education. One in five adults in
our nation has trouble reading a job application or a restaurant menu or
road sign. Literacy is the key that unlocks the world of employment --
books -- the Information Superhighway -- and the rewards of full
participation in family and community life. Without literacy, our
nation's economy and democratic values are threatened.
But in many communities, illiteracy is often a quiet problem, and we
need to raise public awareness. That is why I am behind the National
Institute's new campaign 100 percent. And that is why President
Clinton and I have called for the highest levels ever of national
support for adult education and literacy.
We are proud that about four million Americans benefit from federal
adult education programs, and we want many more to participate. So
the President's new budget call for $394 million for adult education
state grants. This represents an 11 percent increase over last year's
level, which was a record-setter at that time. If the Congress
accepts the President's proposal, it will mean that our support for
adult education and literacy will have gone up by nearly 50 percent
since 1993 -- the largest increase in more than 30 years.
Our 1998 budget also calls for record support for Even Start Family
Literacy programs, which help parents and children to read and learn
together -- as I know Enrique and his son do. Now, another important
part of the adult literacy story is children. It seems to me that if
we want America to be a nation of readers, the most logical place to
start is with our very youngest citizens.
Today, about 40 percent of America's fourth graders are not reading
graders are not reading as well a hey should. This is why one of the
most urgent tasks facing u sin education today is making sure that
every student is a good, independent reader by the end of third grade.
Every 8-year old should be able to say -- like my granddaughter says
when I try to read a book to her -- "I can read it myself!"
The President's "America Reads Challenge" is designed to help all
children to meet this goal. If approved by Congress, it would create
and army of one million volunteer reading tutors who would work with
students in grades K-3 after school and over the weekends and summers.
The tutors would be trained by 25,000 reading specialists, and they
would support the work of teacher and reinforce classroom instruction.
"America Reads" would also provide expanded support for "parents as
first teachers" programs that encourage family members to get more
involved in helping their children learn to read. This family
involvement effort is crucial. Children need to be exposed to books
and reading materials in the home long before heir school days begin.
So we need parents who can read, and who can spend at least 30 minutes
a day reading to their young children or sharing books with their
older children. Adult education...youth education -- they can't be
separated. They're really part of the same literacy effort.
Let me close by talking a little about Faith Hill, whom we saw a
moment ago in her PSA. I'm a big fan of country music, and Faith has
a song called "Go the Distance." It includes the lyrics, "You got me
headed in a new direction -- able to go the distance."
My friends, I believe this new campaign from the National Institute
for Literacy will help many Americans to head in a new direction, and
able to let their talents and dreams go the distance.
Literacy is about more than just reading well. Literacy is about
living well. I thank you for reminding us of that, and for
contributing to the lives of so many.
Thank you very much."
Alice Johnson
National Institute for Literacy
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Apr 14 2005 - 14:09:23 EDT