Governor's Early Literacy Foundation Launches Team Read TN Campaign for Early Literacy Month

Strategic Insights -

The Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) has launched its Team Read TN campaign in support of Early Literacy Month this September. The campaign aims to promote children reading throughout Tennessee, amid a backdrop of less than half of Tennessee third graders able to read proficiently. Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee, along with the Tennessee Titans staff and the Tennessee Titans Wives Association (TTWA), are supporting the campaign to strengthen early literacy and build lifelong learners statewide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Team Read TN campaign is a statewide effort to promote early literacy in Tennessee, with the goal of strengthening reading skills and building lifelong learners.
  • The campaign is supported by Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee, as well as the Tennessee Titans staff and the Tennessee Titans Wives Association (TTWA).
  • Less than half of Tennessee third graders are able to read proficiently, highlighting the need for improved early literacy programs.
  • The statewide early literacy programs supported by GELF include Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Storybook Trails, Book Buses, Caregiver Engagement, and K-3 Book Delivery.
  • The campaign encourages participants to share their love of reading on social media using the hashtag #TeamReadTN and to inspire others to join the challenge.
  • GELF's programs are vital to connecting children with books and resources that support their literacy development, and financial support is necessary to sustain these programs.
  • The foundation's mission is to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee by acting as a thought leader, advisor, and catalyst to support and sustain early literacy programs for children statewide.

Statistics:

  • Less than half of Tennessee third graders (45%) are able to read proficiently ( Governor's Early Literacy Foundation, 2020).
  • The statewide early literacy programs supported by GELF cater to thousands of children in Tennessee navigating a different classroom environment this September (GELF, 2020).
  • GELF's programs, including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Storybook Trails, Book Buses, Caregiver Engagement, and K-3 Book Delivery, are essential to connecting children with books and resources that support their literacy development (GELF, 2020).
  • The foundation's efforts rely on financial support to maintain and expand these programs (GELF, 2020).

Sources:

  • [1] Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) (2020). Press Release: Governor's Early Literacy Foundation Launches Team Read TN Campaign for Early Literacy Month. Businesswire.
  • [2] Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) (2020). About Us. GovernorsFoundation.org.
  • [3] Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) (2020). Team Read TN. Facebook.com/GovEarlyLiteracyTN.