2001 Legislative Agenda Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction I. Legislative Policy Priorities 2001 Reading and Literacy Initiative for a Better Indiana Position and Rationale Support reading and literacy intervention programs for students who are at risk of not learning to read and write on grade level by Grade 3. Promote independent, leisure reading for students to improve their vocabulary and reading comprehension through additional library book funds. Encourage adult literacy and workforce productivity by providing more classes. Provide intensive English and literacy instruction to an expanding limited English proficient student population. Reading is the cornerstone of education and life.
Reading can be as basic as reading street signs or as complex as deciphering tax codes.
It enriches our lives and enables us to build strong communities. Too many Hoosiers, children and adults, have yet to master the basic skill of reading. Indiana must take decisive steps now to ensure improved student achievement. The 1997 and 1999 Reading and Literacy Initiatives for a Better Indiana have helped address these needs and objectives. A total of 26 reading and education associations endorsed the initiative that focused on early intervention reading programs, a renewed investment in school library books and newspapers, and adequate funding for the state's adult education literacy programs.