Forum focuses on importance of early literacy
Record Net: 9.10.2015 by Almendra Carpizo
The average home in San Joaquin County only has
two books.
That is “startling” information University of the Pacific President Pamela A. Eibeck
recently learned, she told about 175 people gathered Thursday for the annual Beyond Our Gates Dialogue event.
The forum, which is attended by educators,
elected officials, nonprofit organizations and business leaders, was focused on
the importance of early literacy, cultivating community partnerships to help
students succeed and encouraging parents to engage their children and ensure
that they attend school.
San Joaquin County Office of Education Superintendent James
Mousalimas said at the start of the program that if the
community wants to make progress in student achievement, literacy has to start
before kindergarten.
“A rule of thumb we heard is that if a child is
able to read by the end of third grade, they will have the tools to read and
learn as they go forward,” Eibeck said.
According to a 2014 San Joaquin Literacy Report Card,
only 34 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in preschool. The percentage
dropped from 46 percent in 2011. Statewide, enrollment is at 50 percent,
according to the report.
“How can we make sure a young child arrives in
school ready to learn and by the third grade is able to read?” Eibeck asked.
Featured speaker Greg Lucas, who was appointed state librarian by
Gov. Jerry Brown in March 2014, opened by saying that “the most cost-effective
investment of taxpayer money is in helping people to read or read better.”
It keeps people out of prison, it helps them
obtain better jobs and, he added, “if I’m a mommy, the No. 1 indicator of my
kids’ academic success is my literacy rate.”
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