Community Successes

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the May 1, 2003 issue of The Achiever, an electronic newsletter published by the Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, U.S. Department of Education.

Paige Unveils Summer Reading Pilot Program

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige on March 20 joined Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall, students, educators and other community partners to kick off the No Child Left Behind Summer Reading Achievers program for students in Atlanta Public Schools.

The new program encourages school children in grades K-8 to read actively during the summer months and avoid the loss of reading skills that often occurs during summer vacation. If successful, the program will expand next year to schools nationwide.

"Reading is the one skill upon which all others depend and making sure that every child in our schools learns to read is a mission of the president's and mine," Secretary Paige said.

The Atlanta Public School system was chosen as the pilot site because the schools have posted gains over the past several years. These improvements include a significant increase in the percentage of fourth-graders meeting or exceeding the standard in reading as measured by the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test.

To participate in the program, students will be expected to read 10 age-appropriate books (about one a week) during the summer. Students will be required to describe briefly the books they have read by completing a simple form. Program participants will receive a certificate signed by Secretary Paige and Superintendent Hall.

Target stores, Scholastic, Inc., the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce are among a host of partners in the Atlanta region supporting the reading campaign.

For more program details, call 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit www.ed.gov/PressReleases/03-2003/03202003.html.

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