Agreement was reached to continue involving urban educators in test development and to find appropriate ways to assess reading skills of children from culturally diverse backgrounds. Other urban school districts may be announcing their participation at a later date. More than 60 entries in nine categories competed this year for awards. Groups of 15 children in two age categories, those entering grades two through three and four through six, are enrolled in one of six courses developed by SmithKline Beecham and teacher-consultants. Each course consists of four, 45-minute classes per week.
Children register for the program by signing up at their local libraries.
The celebration takes place November 16-22, 1997. To celebrate, over 200,000 teacher's packets for grades K-12 will be available for classrooms around the country. Each packet contains four educational posters, maps, map activities, and an accompanying 26-page teacher's handbook of classroom activities. The materials may be used to teach every discipline, and reflect the National Geography Standards. Canadian prices vary.