Department of Education Participates in Read for the Record

Wednesday, October 6, 2011

DOE Press Office (850) 245-0413

Department of Education Participates in Read for the Record

~ Across the state and nation, students, teachers and families are setting a new world record ~

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson today visited Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts in Tallahassee to read to kindergarten students at Leon County's first public magnet elementary school. Students listened intently as Commissioner Robinson read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, the designated book for the Read for the Record campaign. The book is being read across the world to promote the importance of reading and literacy, while also aiming to end America's early education achievement gap.

"Studies show the earlier we are able to infuse reading into a child's life, the better prepared they are for kindergarten and the educational journey that lies ahead," said Commissioner Robinson. "This annual campaign provides a great opportunity to help raise awareness of this important need, making my visit to Apalachee Tapestry today even more special."

Throughout Florida, mayors, school board members, community leaders, legislators, and families have pledged to read during this year's Read for the Record campaign. State Board of Education member Barbara Feingold visited two schools in Palm Beach County to share this favorite bedtime story with kindergarten classes.

"I am thrilled to be able to share this great story and participate in this worldwide effort of reading," said Mrs. Feingold. "What a fun way to encourage literacy for students of all ages."

The Read for the Record campaign is a joint effort between Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation that began in 2006. Each year, readers around the world have joined together to break the world record by reading classic stories including The Little Engine That Could (2006), The Story of Ferdinand (2007), Corduroy (2008), The Very Hungry Caterpillar (2009), and The Snowy Day (2010). In addition to in-person read-alouds, the program also enables anyone to visit the Read for the Record website to read an online version of the book. For each digital book read, one book will be donated to classrooms across America. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.readfortherecord.org.