Virginia Board of Education Resolution 1998-2
Expressing Support for the Virginia Early Reading Initiative
Resolution Number 1998-2
July 23, 1998
WHEREAS, in his Inaugural Address, Governor James S. Gilmore, III, promised the people of the Commonwealth that he would demand no less than excellence from our public schools, pledging “No goal could be more noble as we advance into the Twenty-first Century than making Virginia’s system of public education the very best.”; and
WHEREAS, the vision set by Governor Gilmore calls forth renewed commitment on behalf of the young people of Virginia, all of whom so rightfully deserve strong schools with clear and high standards of achievement that prepare them for the challenges of today and tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, fundamental to success is learning to read, an indispensable skill that must be mastered in the early years of schooling in order that students may continue to learn science, literature, history, and mathematics, and all other academic subjects that are essential to achievement in school and in life; and
WHEREAS, while the evidence shows that nearly one out of every five children today has difficulty learning to read, study after study confirms that the incidence of such deficits may be significantly reduced if children are diagnosed early and if they receive research-based interventions in the early grades; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Early Reading Initiative is a program focused on reducing, by the end of first grade, the number of children with reading problems through early diagnosis and correction of reading deficits; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Early Reading Initiative provides for a statewide literacy assessment to identify and provide additional instruction for children in kindergarten or first grade who do not have the early literacy skills necessary for success in learning to read;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education declares its strong commitment to and unwavering support for the Virginia Early Reading Initiative as a positive and effective program for improving the reading skills of Virginia’s children;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Board of Education invite organizations representing professional educators, parents, and other concerned citizens and groups of this Commonwealth to join in forming a community of support for the Virginia Early Reading Initiative, as attested by their signatures on this Declaration.
The Resolution was signed by the following:
Dr. Deanna Gordon, President, Virginia Association of School Superintendents
Mr. John Craig, President, Virginia School Boards Association
Mrs. Lois Cumashot, President, Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers
Mr. Thomas Hanisch, President, Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals
Mr. Russell Fleshman, President, Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals
Mrs. Cherri James, President, Virginia Education Association
Ms. Donna Moody, Vice-President, Virginia State Reading Association
Ms. Gail Pope, President, Virginia Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
Mr. John Sanville, Executive Vice-President, Virginia Chapter, American Federation of Teachers
Mrs. Robin Jarnette, The Family Foundation
Mrs. Helen Blackwell, Chairman, Eagle Forum
Mrs. Patricia Phillips, Concerned Women of Virginia
Mr. Ron Headland, Virginia Business Education Partnership
Mr. Ken Tilley, Virginia High School League
Ms. Kimberly Failon, Virginia Council for Private Education
Mr. Schroder presented the Resolution to Mrs. Cheri Yecke, Deputy Secretary of Education for Governor Gilmore.
Signature:
Kirk T. Schroder, President
Board of Education
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
July 23, 1998