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METRO
Support for education is coming from Tallahassee.
House Bill 3 created a $270 million investment in reading and literacy initiative, which included a statewide book distribution program.
Through this new program, children in kindergarten through fifth grade who are reading below grade level are eligible to receive free books delivered directly to their home. That program alone represents $200 million of the investment. The state will use the remaining $70 million to fund and support other literacy initiatives.
“As a father of three young children, I want every child to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “The biggest difference we can make in setting Florida children up for success is making sure they know how to read. I’m proud to celebrate these investments in literacy today that ensure every student – regardless of their socio-economic status – has access to free, high-quality books.”
“Literacy is foundational to learning and is probably the most pressing issue facing our students today,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Education is freedom – the great equalizer. Research shows that providing books to students both empowers parents to engage with their child’s reading activities and improves the student’s reading skills.”
As for the other $70 million:
• $61 million will support direct student interventions, including targeted individual or small group literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through first grade;
• $4 million will provide elementary school principals and assistant principals with effective practices to help them focus on improving literacy within their schools;
• $3 million for Literacy Coach Boot Camps to improve the skills and proficiency of literacy coaches;
• $2.8 million is earmarked to continue statewide progress monitoring through the Department of Education for grades K-8.
