DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENTS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO READ

“Get Up and READ!” is the message being heralded by Deputy Superintendents Ava Byrne, Antoinette Dunbar, and Ofelia San Pedro. It’s a message that is resonating and gaining momentum among Miami-Dade’s public middle and high school students.

Reading and understanding complicated information is essential to success in college and in the workforce. According to an analysis of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) long-term trend reading assessment, only about one-in-17 17-year-olds can read and gain information from specialized text. The National Endowment for the Arts reports in its Read or Not To Read research report that the percentage of 17-year-olds who read nothing at all for pleasure has doubled over the last 20 years. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) wants to change these startling trends.

Launched last February with a library card registration drive, the reading campaign is intended to inspire middle and high school students to spend more time reading for pleasure with the ultimate goal of heightening students’ comprehension and literacy skills.

“Reading and comprehending what you read are fundamental to personal and professional success,” said Ava Byrne. “It’s important that we encourage our children to read so they can experience the joy and excitement that a good book can bring.”

As part of the campaign, Byrne, Dunbar, and San Pedro have already begun hosting reading events at local area Barnes and Noble bookstores. Other campaign activities include establishing book clubs at schools, essay contests, and Meet the Authors reading events. For more information about Get Up and READ, log on to http://getupread.dadeschools.net.