{"id":11911,"date":"2012-08-23T11:43:42","date_gmt":"2012-08-23T15:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/?p=11911"},"modified":"2012-08-24T02:25:11","modified_gmt":"2012-08-24T06:25:11","slug":"struggling-florida-students-will-have-readingpals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/2012\/08\/23\/struggling-florida-students-will-have-readingpals\/","title":{"rendered":"Struggling Florida Students Will Have “ReadingPals”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An early literacy initiative called \u201cReadingPals\u201d will have three years to flourish in Florida thanks to a $3-million grant.<\/p>\n

Local chapters of the United Way of Florida<\/a> will use the money to train and deploy volunteer \u201cReadingPals.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program is designed to increase the number of students reading at grade level by the end of third grade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe early years, when 90 percent of brain growth occurs, are crucial to growing children,\u201d said David Lawrence, Jr., chair of The Children\u2019s Movement of Florida<\/a>. \u201cLearning to read by third grade is crucial, and reading to learn must become the standard by no later than fourth grade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lawrence noted that the most recent FCAT<\/a> results showed 44 percent of third graders reading below grade level<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Governor Rick Scott attended the ReadingPals launch at a library in Tallahassee.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday’s third graders,\u201d he said, \u201care tomorrow\u2019s doctors, engineers, teachers and innovators — tomorrow’s job creators.\u201d<\/p>\n

First Lady Ann Scott read a book to children at the library during the program kickoff. She\u2019s been promoting the 2012 Summer Literacy Adventure<\/a>, encouraging kids to keep reading over the summer break.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe goes to schools, libraries, and parks and reads to these kids. It\u2019s probably the most fun day she has,\u201d said Gov. Scott.<\/p>\n

The money for ReadingPals is provided by Carol and Barney Barnett of Lakeland.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a blessed family and feel obliged to make sure we give back a full measure to our community and country,\u201d said Carol Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities and vice chair of The Children\u2019s Movement.<\/p>\n

The young participants will be given books throughout the school year to keep.<\/p>\n

Volunteers are asked to commit an hour a week for 25 weeks, working with one to three children.<\/p>\n

The program will start matching volunteers with students in September and October. Those who want to help should contact their local United Way.<\/p>\n

These United Way of Florida chapters have received ReadingPals grants:<\/p>\n