‘Lee Y Serás’ Launches Nationally.

Responding to the urgent need to promote reading achievement among Latino youth, Scholastic, National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the Verizon Foundation launch Lee y serás, (Read and You Will Be) a groundbreaking Latino early literacy initiative that engages parents and communities in the literacy development of their children. Latinos represent almost 20% of the U.S. population under the age of 18 — the largest minority segment of the nation’s student population. Currently, Hispanic achievement rates in all levels of education remain low. Latino students tend to lag behind their non-Latino peers academically, particularly in the area of reading, a skill that has a direct impact on learning. 60% of Latino 8th graders and 57% of Latino 4th graders read below the basic level, an achievement gap that often begins before children enter school. Early literacy skills remain a strong indicator of educational succes! s and — because the fate of any society depends on how well it prepares its youth for the future — business and community leaders have collaborated on this innovative new approach to Latino literacy and achievement.

“The long-term economic and social well-being of the nation rests on the strengths and successes of the growing Latino youth population.” said National Council of La Raza President and CEO Janet Murguia. “Beyond having a profound impact on the Hispanic community, today’s investment in Latino early literacy will yield incalculable benefits to our nation by preparing the next generation of young professionals and future leaders.”

“Improving literacy among Latinos is essential if we’re to realize the full potential of our communities,” said Alex Toro, Director of International Strategic Planning, National President of the Hispanic Support Organization, Verizon “So, we’ve created a program that gives Latino families the tools they need to help children achieve in school and excel in the skilled professions. We’re confident that Lee y serás will help yield a strong, confident and well-educated generation of Latino leaders.”

CentroNía, the first of several NCLR affiliates that will make the program available to families and communities in cities all across the country, hosted today’s national unveiling of Lee y serás with children and families from the community participating. Today’s launch featured the debut of http://www.leeyseras.net , a dynamic, interactive web site that is making the program available to community-based organizations and families nationwide. Additional Lee y serás program sites will be implemented by NCLR affiliates in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and New York starting later this year and into early 2006.

“CentroNía is a 20 year old organization dedicated to educating children, youth and families in a bilingual and multicultural community. An integral part of this mission is to help all families foster early childhood literacy, as a precursor for later academic success,” said Beatriz Otero, Executive Director of CentroNía, a children and families educational organization.

“Lee y serás reminds families that singing, reading and talking to children often and throughout day, and other everyday activities, can become meaningful learning experiences,” said Teresa Mlawer, President of Lectorum Publications, a division of Scholastic. “Lee y serás helps to inform families and communities about the importance of early literacy, and demonstrates ways that families can prepare children to arrive at school with the knowledge and skills they need to be ready to read and learn – what could be more important?”

Engaging parents, caregivers, and community organizations and leaders… Lee y serás takes a multi-faceted approach to improving early literacy development among Latino children. The program includes a dynamic, multi-media toolkit for community organizations, workshops for parents and caregivers, training for community leaders to support and advocate for Latino children, and online resources to engage families and communities nationwide. Lee y serás emphasizes learning, culture and family, and demonstrates how everyday at-home activities such as singing, cooking and storytelling help young children develop early language skills are key.

Elements of the Lee y serás program

— Training – Community partners provide a six-week workshop series for parents and for childcare and homecare providers, as well as a one-day or half-day literacy awareness institute for community decision makers.

— Online resources – http://www.leeyseras.net offers tips, stories, and curriculum for parents, caregivers and community leaders placing a wealth of information within reach.

— Software – A state-of-the-art CD-ROM toolkit for community-based organizations provides curriculum, family literacy tips, Community Resource Guide and a host of other interactive resources.

— Family Album – A CD soundtrack of stories helps parents learn how everyday activities contribute to early literacy development.

— Quality Literature – A beautifully illustrated bilingual picture book, Rin, Rin, Rin, by beloved singer, songwriter José-Luis Orozco, demonstrates how a family’s activities with their child – singing, reading, and making rhymes – establish a foundation for literacy.

— Posters and Bookmarks – Community partners will receive premiums to help engage community members in the Lee y serás program.