|
|
|
|
From the Director
We planted another “seed” in the fertile ground that supports literacy in Georgia when First Lady Sandra Deal, children’s authors Carmen Deedy and John McCutcheon, and illustrator Tom Gonzalez recently launched our new book, Forever Loblolly, this month.
State and community leaders came together with dozens of young children to hear the first public reading of this endearing tale at the Decatur Public Library. Thanks to a new partnership with the Georgia Forestry Foundation and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), this homegrown book will be gifted to all public libraries and public elementary-school libraries across the state.
With state and local leaders across Georgia planting these and other seeds, I look forward to the harvest of increasing literacy rates that we will reap as we move toward—and beyond—2020.
With gratitude,
Arianne
|
|
MEET THE CABINET
 The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College provides professional development for educators and organizations working with children in the early years and early grades. The Center works with state partners to co-develop and co-deliver training for educators; collects, conducts, and shares evidence-based research and best practices related to early language and literacy development; promotes statewide cross-sector partnerships; and invests in local innovation and pilot programs. Learn More
|
|
 Campaign’s New Homegrown Children’s Book Makes Its Debut
The Get Georgia Reading Campaign’s new homegrown children’s book, Forever Loblolly, will go to every public elementary school and public library in Georgia. The launch event’s call to action is for parents, older siblings, and caregivers to engage in activities as simple as reading stories to young children. The story encourages children to become authors of their own future.
|
|
 First Scores Released Using Redesigned CCRPI
The Georgia Department of Education released the 2018 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores, marking the first time new calculations resulting from the state’s plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act were used. The streamlined index includes a component that rewards schools for making progress with traditionally underserved groups such as English learners, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. Get the scores.
|
|
 Preterm Births on the Rise in Georgia
The path to literacy begins with a healthy birth, and yet far too many babies in Georgia are born preterm. Georgia received a “D” grade on the March of Dimes’ annual Premature Birth Report Card as the state’s preterm birth rate increased to 11.4 percent. The national rate is just under 10 percent. The report sheds light on challenges Georgia is facing.
|
|
 First Lady Sandra Deal Reflects on Pre-K Week
During Gov. Nathan Deal’s time in office, First Lady Sandra Deal has read to students in more than 850 classrooms, demonstrating an unprecedented commitment to Georgia’s children and highlighting the importance of the role of preschool teachers. During this year’s Pre-K Week, she reflected on Georgia’s commitment to high-quality preschool programs. Find out why early learning is important to Mrs. Deal.
|
|
 Family TIES Supports Gainesville Parents
Family TIES of Gainesville works to break the cycle of abuse and neglect in families through parenting and intervention programs that help adults provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children. The program serves close to 2,000 families each year, offering family and individual counseling, parenting classes, and one-on-one parenting instruction. The program core is positive reinforcement.
|
|
Georgia Department of Education Launches Partnership for Rural Growth
The Georgia Department of Education is investing an additional $1.6 million to support education in rural Georgia. The Partnership for Rural Growth is designed to eliminate the resource gaps facing rural schools and districts, supporting programs in the arts, STEM and STEAM, entrepreneurship, advanced placement, dual enrollment, and gifted coursework. The funding will also support the creation of a network of rural school and district leaders, helping them identify and address common needs.
How Early Head Start Prevents Child Maltreatment
A new study finds that participation in Early Head Start improves key factors shown to prevent child maltreatment. These programs reduce family conflict and parenting stress, support emotionally warm, responsive parenting practices, and promote child cognitive development—and reduce the likelihood that a child will become involved in the child welfare system from birth through age 16.
Using “Pay for Success” to Support Quality Early Learning
Pay for Success, a funding mechanism that covers the up-front costs of services and then pays investors back with related public savings, shows promise when applied to early childhood development. A new report by the Federal Reserve Bank Minneapolis describes the potential of this funding model and outlines components of successful programs.
|
|
“Signals 5: Language and Literacy with Emily Rubin” Webinar
Thursday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.
Georgia partners, including the Georgia Department of Education, Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy, and the National Alliance on Mental Health, have launched a new free, five-part Signals webinar series designed to build the capacity of educators to support children’s language acquisition and mental health development. Register Now
Pacesetter Honors Technical Assistance Webinars
“Introduction and Overview of the 2018 Pacesetter Honors Self-Nomination Process” Monday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m.;
“Refresher on GLR Learning for Impact and Improvement System, Focusing on Pacesetter Honors Option 3” Thursday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m.;
“Review of Self-Nomination Process; Open Q&A” Thursday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading’s (GLR) Pacesetter Honors program celebrates GLR Network communities that are leading the way in moving the needle and closing gaps in third-grade reading proficiency. The GLR Support Center has scheduled three technical assistance webinars to guide the application process. Self-nominations are accepted through Thursday, Feb. 28. Register Now for the Dec. 17 webinar, Jan. 24 webinar, and Feb. 7 webinar.
READBowl
Monday, Jan. 7 — Sunday, Feb. 3
Early Bird Registration through Saturday, Dec. 15
READBowl is a nationwide reading competition for Pre-K — 8 classrooms designed to inspire students to read and provide teachers with a platform to motivate students to increase reading minutes in school. READBowl begins on the day of the College Football National Championship (Jan. 7) and culminates with the crowning of the National Reading Champions on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 3). Teachers who register their classrooms before Dec. 15 will be entered in a drawing to win an autographed copy of Malcolm Mitchell’s book, The Magician’s Hat. Registration is free. Register Now
|
|
We Want to Hear From You
Our partners are the heroes in this work, and we want to help connect you with each other and with resources that can help you get even greater results. And we want to hear more stories. Please share yours with us so we can post it to getgeorgiareading.org. Send your stories—or any questions about the Campaign—to Arianne Weldon at arianne@gafcp.org.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
