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[IN] EDU BKS
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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO BOOK, EDUCATION, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Announces Virtual Book
Drive for Children
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the nation's leading
advocate for family literacy, announced the launch of a virtual book
drive in celebration of its 25th Anniversary.
Beginning today, and continuing through Friday, April 25th, you can
visit www.helpthemread.org to vote for your favorite children's book.
For every vote cast, Scholastic will donate a children's book to one
of our literacy programs. One vote, one book. Lots of votes, lots of
books for children who urgently need them.
"The American Dream is about equal opportunity for everyone who works
hard. Like my mom, I believe our nation's precious children deserve
the chance to succeed in the classroom, and their parents play an
important role in their learning process," said Doro Bush Koch,
Co-Chair of the Foundation. "This is a great way to get books into the
hands of children and help families learn their way to a better life."
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress,
two-thirds of American students are not reading proficiently by 4th
grade. And, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's National Study,
Double Jeopardy: How Third-Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence
High School Graduation found that one in six students who are not
reading proficiently in 3rd grade will fail to graduate from high
school on time. But the problem can be solved, and together we are
making meaningful progress through our innovative family literacy
scholarship and reading mentor programs.
"Ninety percent of low-literacy preschoolers are ready for
kindergarten after one year in our programs," said Liza McFadden,
President and CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy,
"We can do more, and with the public's support during this campaign,
together we will."
America's children are our most precious resource, and every one of
them has the right to learn to read. You can help children today by
simply visiting www.helpthemread.org to vote for your favorite
children's book!
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is the nation's
leading advocate for family literacy. Founded by former First Lady
Barbara Bush, we believe that family literacy is key to solving
today's most critical challenges: social and economic mobility,
quality of life, and global competitiveness. With support of
individuals and corporate sponsors, we provide educational
opportunities for young children and their parents, helping them
achieve the literacy skills needed to pursue a brighter future.
Contact: Elizabeth Hirst, 850-562-5300,
elizabeth.hirst@barbarabush.org
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140414/72990
SOURCE Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
-0- 04/14/2014
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140414/72990
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.barbarabush.org
CO: Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
ST: Florida
IN: EDU BKS
SU: CHI NPT
PRN
-- DC04582 --
0000 04/14/2014 16:48:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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