RIF Multicultural campaign aims to narrow reading gap.

A new report from the Department of Education reveals Hispanics are driving the surge of the nation‚s minority public school population, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the significant need to improve children’s literacy among children from Hispanic and other minority communities.

Reading scores among Hispanics, African-Americans, and Native-American fourth graders significantly trail behind those of Anglo and Asian children. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Education data, only 46 percent of Hispanic children score at or above basic reading level, compared to 76 percent of their Anglo peers. Achievement of African American children and Native American children is equally concerning, with only 42 percent and 48 percent scoring above basic respectively.

Reading Is Fundamental Inc., (RIF) launched a multi-year campaign to promote and support early childhood literacy in the Hispanic and other minority communities.

“With over half of all Hispanic children ages 1-5 not attending preschool, it is important for Hispanic parents and caregivers to participate in home literacy activity,” said Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of RIF. “During preschool years, language develops far more rapidly than any other time.”

RIF has created a new, Spanish-language website and video under the name Semillitas de Aprendizaje to help parents develop the language skills of their young children. The new website, which is free and free of advertising, is a fun and interactive site. It offers stories, nursery rhymes, and other activities for adults to experience together with young children.

The new DVD offers caregivers and parents instructional information and suggested activities to help with developing their child’s language skills.

Later this summer, RIF will launch a new public education campaign, supported by Macy’s and Univision Communications Inc., featuring Neida Sandoval news anchor for the Univision Network and its daily morning program “Despierta America.”

The spots remind parents of the importance of reading to young children daily.