March 2005

Let's Make Read Across America An Every Day Event

Reg Weaver
President, NEA

Kids who read -- and kids who are read to -- do better in school and better in life. It's a fact supported by research and the common sense wisdom of parents everywhere. This week, more than 45 million students, parents, grandparents, teachers, education support professionals, and others are taking part in the National Education Association's Read Across America day.

But reading can't be just a one day event. Kids need to experience the joy of reading every day. It's more than a way of helping students in school. Family reading helps strengthen families. Strong families help build strong communities. Reading and lifelong learning are at the core of our founding generation's highest aspirations for the United States of America.

NEA's Read Across America is one example of NEA's work to make sure every child has a public school as great as America's best public schools. NEA's Read Across America events bring others into the school community who might not otherwise get involved. School based and community-based Read Across America events draw community leaders, politicians, athletes, musicians and actors into contact with students and with schools. Some of those connections between community leaders and schools evolve into ongoing efforts to be engaged with the school year-round.

In the same way, it provides an opportunity to highlight what NEA knows works in the classroom - the same ingredients that are supported by research by parents and by teachers and education support professionals: strong parental involvement, qualified and certified teachers, small class sizes that allow for individual attention, and books and materials aligned with high standards -- and high expectations -- for every child.

So on March 2 -- and every day -- take a moment and read with a child. Visit NEA.org to find out more about how you can get involved in activities in your area.