A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

     FOR RELEASE                                  Contact:  Diane B. Jones      April 26, 1996                                         (202) 401-3725

Riley went to Illinois State Library this afternoon to kick off the second year of READ*WRITE*NOW!, a national effort to improve the reading and writing skills of America's preschool and elementary students.

Riley noted the important role partners can play in helping children maintain their reading and writing skills throughout the summer break. Adult learning partners can be a family member, a teenager, a senior citizen, librarian, recreation leader or any caring community member.

"READ*WRITE*NOW! will help our children develop good reading skills and habits that open up new worlds of learning," said President Clinton. "I encourage all Americans to spend at least a small part of their summer making a big difference in children's learning."

"Summer is a time of fun for children," Riley said, "but it's also a time when we, as adults, must make sure that our young students don't lose the skills they've acquired during the school year. That's why developing summer reading partnerships is an important way adults and teens can help children stay on the right path to maintaining and improving their reading and writing skills."

Research shows that many students lose reading skills over the summer, while children who continue to read and write generally improve. Riley said that studies have also shown that children are more likely to gain confidence and improve their reading skills when they read with adults.

During the summer of 1995, 425,000 children were linked with 125,000 adult reading partners, many of whom received materials through Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Title I summer reading programs. Materials were developed by leading authorities and drew from the experiences of teachers, librarians and families.

At the outset, READ*WRITE*NOW! partners agree on goals for the young partner. Children pledge to get and use a library card, to read and write 30 minutes a day, five days a week and to learn a new vocabulary word each day. Adult partners pledge to read and write with their partner at least once a week, hear about what the child has read, share new words learned and encourage their partner to keep up the good work. When the child has met the goal set at the beginning of the program, the partner is encouraged to reward the child.

The secretary is encouraging communities to use the month of May to lay the groundwork for successful summer programs by building partnerships with libraries, schools, community, religious and youth groups to support children's reading and writing.

Riley added that a number of schools and libraries are holding their own local kick-off events.

A READ*WRITE*NOW! kit, designed for children preschool through Grade 6 and their learning partners, includes an activities book for learning partners, a reading and vocabulary log, two bookmarks, and two certificates for learning partners and young readers. The kits are available in both English and Spanish.

With help from the American Library Association and the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, the U.S. Department of Education will distribute kits to 16,000 libraries. Kits will also be available at RIF summer sites nationwide.

In addition to public libraries, READ*WRITE*NOW! kits can be obtained through the on-line Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN. Supplies are limited so the public is encouraged to obtain a copy from their local library or from the department's home page for reproduction.

Pizza Hut has donated a million coupons, redeemable for individual pan-sized pizzas, as an incentive for participants completing the 1996 summer program. Riley says whether or not partners have access to or choose to use coupons with their young readers, they are encouraged to think of other meaningful ways to recognize children who meet their goal.

A public-private initiative launched by Riley in May 1995, READ*WRITE*NOW! is supported by 40 sponsors including Pizza Hut, AMC Theaters, Nickelodeon, Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Hadassah, B'nai B'rith, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., American Library Association, American Association of Retired Persons, International Reading Association, Books and Beyond, The Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, and other federal programs including EvenStart, Headstart, Special Education, Adult Education, and the Corporation for National Service.

READ*WRITE*NOW! letter from Secretary Riley