Board of Education
June 28, 2006
Video Transcript

Narrator

Board of Education President Mark Emblidge announced the formation of two committees during the Board’s June meeting in Richmond, one led by Eleanor Saslaw to study strengthening early childhood education, and another led by Isis Castro focusing on literacy.

Mark Emblidge, President, Board of Education

The Board, starting with these two committees, will develop probably a total of four or five committees. These committees will do work that will be consistent with the Governor’s initiatives and issues that we think are important to the entire commonwealth. The Pre-K Committee will work specifically on quality standards for pre-k and also teacher training. The literacy committee will work on the whole continuum of reading on grade level by grade 3 all the way through adult education, and including, very importantly, ESL [English as a Second Language].

Isis M. Castro, Board Member

The goal is to provide all students an opportunity to be reading at grade level in the third grade and progress as they move up. Reading is a foundation for success and I am looking forward to working with this committee through all the different levels and specifically the ESL population.

Eleanor B. Saslaw, Board Member

It has been shown, research supports very heavily, that students who attend preschool are 18 months ahead of students who do not attend preschool when they enter kindergarten. This initiative will segue into the literacy initiative to have students all on grade level in reading by grade 3.

Narrator

The Board also thanked Patricia Wright for her service as acting superintendent of public instruction.

Patricia I. Wright, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction

I look forward to transitioning back into a deputy role and I look forward to working with Dr. Cannaday and the Board.

Narrator

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 26th, here in Richmond.