Colorado State Archives

Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005

DENVER – Governor Bill Owens today announced the availability of $15 million in Read to Achieve grants. The goal of the Read to Achieve program is to ensure that every Colorado child reads at or above grade level when they enter fourth grade. Governor Owens urged public schools throughout the state to apply for the grants.

Providing additional funds that will help children improve their reading skills is one of my highest priorities. Almost one-third of Colorado’s eight-year olds cannot read at grade level. This is a tragedy that Read to Achieve is designed to address," Owens said.

The Read to Achieve dollars will be targeted at providing intensive reading instruction for second and third graders who are not reading at grade level. The $15 million in Read to Achieve grants will be distributed to qualified elementary schools by January, 2001.

In late September, regional workshops will be held to help school personnel learn about the application process. Proposals are due to the Read to Achieve board by November 9. The 11-member board includes teachers, principals and parents. The program is being implemented jointly by the Governor’s office and the State Board of Education.

"We all know that reading is an indispensable skill. The Governor’s Read to Achieve program brings help directly to the children who need it most," said Commissioner of Education Bill Moloney.

The Read to Achieve program was approved by the State Legislature in the 2000 session. Funding for the program comes from the tobacco settlement received by the state. Information concerning the program is being sent directly to educators statewide. Schools interested in receiving more information should contact Jan Silverstein at the Colorado Department of Education, 303-866-6635.

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