Montgomery, AL – Emphasizing that literacy is everybody’s job, Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent of Education, today released to the State Board of Education “Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy: Birth Through Grade 12.”
“‘Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy: Birth Through Grade 12’ is a joint effort because literacy truly is everybody’s job. Our literacy action plan is another important component for the ‘Every Child a Graduate’ campaign. Literacy = Graduates = Jobs. This action plan assures that our citizens are literate, well-educated, and successful in school and in life. Alabama’s children are the beneficiaries of this work and they deserve no less,” said Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent of Education.
“Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy: Birth Through Grade 12” includes a detailed booklet and a pamphlet especially for parents. The parent pamphlet offers tips to parents on how to recognize the signs of literacy development with their children and provides ideas and resources to enable parents to encourage and help their children to read at home.
Sherrill Parris, Assistant State Superintendent, Office of Student Learning, said, “‘Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy: Birth Through Grade 12’ really expands the tools for parents. Alabama has both a nationally recognized literacy program – the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) – and a nationally recognized Pre-K program. ‘Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy’ brings those efforts together with a framework for literacy partnerships to include parents, caregivers, schools and communities. This action plan is the catalyst in a new decade to continue ARI’s focus on improving literacy and to combine all available resources in our commitment to children.”
Literacy skills begin to develop at birth and provide the foundation for all learning. Twenty-first century work skills require a strong literacy base. “Alabama’s Action Plan for Literacy: Birth Through Grade 12” is not a report but an action plan that emphasizes what we will do to achieve literacy and produce college- and career-ready graduates in Alabama’s public schools.
###