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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 1999

News Release

National Education Association President Joins Nationwide Effort to Boost Literacy of Black Teens

Washington, D.C. -- National Education Association President Bob Chase has joined the national advisory board of Books for Boys, a new initiative to improve reading skills among African American boys. The pilot program targets black males ages 12-18, whom studies show often lag behind their peers in reading and academic achievement.

"The ability to read is the most critical skill, fundamental to children's continued learning and achievement," said Chase. "I am proud to serve on a board committed to improving that skill for black students. Reading is the foundation upon which all learning is built. Books for Boys will encourage and celebrate reading for this important student population, which will help them throughout their lives."

The Books for Boys "Reading Gets You There" program will select nearly 300 boys from organizations including the Omega Boys Club of San Francisco, the Al Wooten Center of Los Angeles, and other agencies across the country serving black youth. Boys will be asked to read a specified number of books from a reading list and will receive prizes ranging from book bags to computers for their accomplishments. Special events include a reading rally at the Newseum in Arlington, Virginia, later this month.

The new program is one of several literacy efforts NEA has undertaken to improve reading for minority youth. Read-ins for young children have been held in conjunction with the teachers association's Annual Meeting for the last few years. The event brings local children in for reading sessions with celebrities and NEA members, and books are left behind with local libraries and day-care centers. Children from Atlanta, New Orleans and Orlando have participated to date.

NEA has also organized similar reading events at annual conferences sponsored by the National Urban League and NAACP. In addition, the Association provides hundred of volunteers for the private "Everybody Wins" program, which sends downtown office workers into schools to read with kids in Washington, D.C. This year, Chase will be among the NEA mentors assigned to read to a child each week.

"We must all -- parents, educators and community leaders -- do everything we can to keep children from falling behind," said Chase. "Reach them early, before costly remedial education is necessary, and we can help ensure their academic success."

The Books for Boys program is sponsored by the Village Foundation, created to provide options for African-American boys and men to become leaders in society. Founded in 1994, the Foundation is chaired by Ambassador Andrew Young and its board of directors includes actress and philanthropist Jane Fonda and former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.