Largest Statewide Reading Program of its Kind Celebrates First
Major Milestone while Looking Ahead to Drive Enrollment
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Created to help
approximately half a million Florida K-5 students read on grade
level, the New Worlds Reading Initiative is a new, free book
delivery program advancing literacy and a love of reading across
the state. In less than five months since the first books were
delivered, the program has enrolled more than 100,000 Florida students to receive a book monthly
direct to their doorstep – a significant milestone for the new
program.
The New Worlds Reading Initiative is administered by the
University of Florida Lastinger Center
for Learning, and it was created and funded in 2021 through
legislation out of the Florida
House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker
Chris Sprowls. The Lastinger Center
selected Scholastic as a partner in the initiative. To date, more
than 335,529 books have been distributed.
"Reading has the ability to transform lives in incredible ways,
and reading proficiency can support a lifelong joy of learning in
many different subjects," said Dr. Shaunté Duggins, assistant
director of the New Worlds Reading Initiative. "Our teachers are
important ambassadors. They share our mission in instilling a love
for reading within students and helping them read on grade level.
We are absolutely thrilled to partner with educators, families, and
communities to deliver books to the homes of over 100,000 families
to help instill a lifelong love of reading. But this is just the
beginning — we're working hard to ensure that every eligible
child across the state of Florida
has the chance to enroll."
Through the program, eligible K-5 students in Florida public and charter schools who enroll
will receive one free book per month in English, Spanish, or
Haitian Creole during the school year, for a total of nine books
per year. Children can choose the topic of books they receive, with
the most popular selections being the "adventure" and "humor"
categories, to help them build personalized libraries and develop a
love of reading. Books also come with literacy activities for
families and caregivers to engage with their children on reading
and help build their child's language and conversation skills.
"I love the overall program," said Shaquasha Lane of Palm
Beach County, whose 9 year old has been in the program since
enrollment opened in November. "It's hard going to the store, for
example, to find a book on your child's reading level. These books
come in handy because the books help with comprehension and it's
similar to what he would learn in school. When he first got the
book, he was nonchalant like, 'Oh this is just another book'... but
I was really excited. He's now getting into the point where reading
is more of a habit, he looks forward to getting a new book."
The New Worlds Reading Initiative seeks to continue partnering
closely with school and district administrators, educators, and
community organizations to help reach the remaining estimated
400,000 students eligible to enroll within five years. The book
delivery program is funded by a $200
million appropriation in the 2021 Florida state budget and a corporate tax-credit
program that provides a dollar-for-dollar return in tax credits for
a corporation's donation.
"Research has regularly shown that children who are given a
choice in reading develop a sense of ownership and that home
libraries are beneficial. New Worlds Reading combines these ideas,
bringing book access and choice directly to Florida's children most in need of reading
encouragement," added Rose
Else-Mitchell, president of Education Solutions at
Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media
company.
"Over 100,000 enrollments in the New Worlds Reading Initiative
is so much more than a milestone for the program — it represents
100,000 lives and families that will be changed for the better by
the books and resources delivered to their door steps monthly,"
said Speaker Chris Sprowls. "By
equipping students with interesting books and parents with tools
they need to help their kids learn to love reading, we are
launching kids toward success and empowering them to dream, do, and
achieve more."
On Tuesday, March 29, the New
Worlds Reading Initiative will celebrate the 100,000-student
enrollment milestone with educators and eligible students and their
families at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Speaker Sprowls will be in attendance and is expected to make an
exciting announcement regarding funding.
Follow along on Facebook (@NewWorldsReading), Instagram
(@newworldsreading), or Twitter (@newworldsFL) for more information
on upcoming community literacy events across the state and for
additional ways you can get involved. Additionally, keep an eye out
for the forthcoming "Reading Makes You, You." statewide advertising
campaign to help reach and enroll even more eligible Florida students.
Parents should visit www.newworldsreading.com to learn
about the program, eligibility requirements, and to
enroll. Any parent or caregiver who has further questions
about eligibility for the program should contact their child's
teacher.
About the UF Lastinger Center for
Learning:
Housed within the University of Florida College of Education, the
Lastinger Center for Learning is an education innovation hub that
develops solutions designed to improve outcomes across three
education milestones: kindergarten readiness, reading proficiency
by third grade, and algebra proficiency by ninth grade. The
Lastinger Center's innovations serve children and educators in
every community in Florida and
have expanded both nationally and globally. The remarkable scope of
the Lastinger Center's work and the impact of its collective
efforts have drawn state, national, and international recognition
and investment. Learn more at www.lastingercenter.com.
About Scholastic:
For more than 100 years,
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the
personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with
literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to
educators and families, Scholastic is the world's largest publisher
and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy
curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a
producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The
Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books,
print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12,
and other products and services that support children's learning
and literacy, both in school and at home. With 15 international
operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality,
affordable books available to all children around the world through
school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school
and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at
www.scholastic.com.
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SOURCE New Worlds Reading Initiative