Florida’s 2022 Summer Literacy Institute Celebrates Educators and Champions Reading Instruction in K-12 Schools
June 21, 2022
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Florida’s 2022 Summer Literacy Institute Celebrates Educators and Champions Reading Instruction in K-12 Schools
~ Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. addressed 1,500 educators at the event and declared literacy a top educational priority ~
Orlando Fla., June 21, 2022 – Today, Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. and the Florida Department of Education kicked off the Summer Literacy Institute, a three-day professional learning event that celebrates educators and supports districts and schools with effectively implementing literacy instruction. The Institute is organized to provide professional development for literacy leadership teams at the early childhood, school and district levels.
The goals of the Summer Literacy Institute include increasing educator knowledge of Florida’s B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) English Language Arts Standards, sharing evidence-based best practices, and providing access to associated literacy resources, including those that promote at-home reading and family engagement. The Institute also facilitates professional networking opportunities among more than 1,500 literacy leaders and learners in attendance.
“We know that literacy scores as early as third grade can predict a student’s future success or failure,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Nearly ninety percent of students who failed to earn a high school diploma were struggling readers in third grade. The fact that this week’s Institute is at full capacity during educators’ summer vacation is a testament to our commitment to have every single child in school reading on grade level. Thank you to our incredible teachers and administrators whose hard work and passion help make Florida the Education State.”
“The Florida Legislature stands hand-in-hand with Commissioner Diaz in our shared goal of further improving Florida’s educational excellence,” said Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Chris Sprowls. “The Summer Literacy Institute highlights important programs like the New Worlds Reading Initiative, which helps children reading below grade level catch up with their peers. I’m proud of the legislation passed last session to help students get ahead and I’m looking forward to continuing our important work.”
Governor Ron DeSantis has consistently prioritized literacy in Florida schools and recently secured $202.5 million for literacy achievement in the state’s new 2022-23 Freedom First Budget, including:
- $170 million, an increase of $40 million, for the reading allocation.
- $29 million for the New Worlds Reading Scholarship Program.
- $2.5 million for State Regional Literacy Directors.
- $1 million for online literacy professional development administered through Just Read, Florida!
The 2022 Summer Literacy Institute was made possible through the CARES Act and the Florida Education Foundation, a direct-support organization for the Florida Department of Education and leading supporter Simply Healthcare.
For more information about the Summer Literacy Institute and the 2022 event, visit:https://www.floridaeducationfoundation.com.
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