黑料正能量

黑料正能量鈥檚 officially launched the with a kickoff event on Jan. 30, drawing more than 80 educators, community leaders and advocates from across the CSRA, including members of the Regional Educational Service Agency, to collaborate on addressing literacy challenges in the region. 

鈥淥ur target audience for this is wide 鈥� business leaders, health professionals, advocates, nonprofits and parents 鈥� so we need all those voices at the table,鈥� said鈥�, PhD, director of the Harris Literacy Center. 

Statewide literacy programs like struggled to maintain momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a renewed focus on local efforts within the Augusta community in recent months.

鈥淥ne of the best ways to improve literacy in our community is to organize locally while staying informed about what鈥檚 happening statewide, nationally and globally,鈥� VanDeusen said. 

The Augusta chapter is working to address literacy through four actionable pillars:鈥痩anguage nutrition, access, a positive learning climate and teacher preparedness.鈥疶he goal is to help students, teachers and families develop strong reading skills.

“As a former educator, I have witnessed the positive impact that initiatives like Get Georgia Reading can have on young people in Georgia,” said AU First Lady , who spoke during the event. “When students learn to read at their grade level, it boosts their self-confidence, which translates into success in other subjects. Reading changes lives, and I am eager to see the difference that 黑料正能量, the Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center and our partners will make for children in Augusta.鈥�

, EdD, dean of AU’s , commended the launch and underscored the initiative鈥檚 alignment with 黑料正能量鈥檚 mission to foster community partnerships. 

鈥淥ur goal is to support local schools and families in creating a culture where reading is prioritized and celebrated,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭his initiative reflects the College of Education and Human Development鈥檚 dedication to improving literacy outcomes and ensuring long-term academic success for our children.鈥� 

, PhD, assistant professor in the in COEHD, highlighted the urgency of the initiative. 

鈥淎lmost 80% of students in our area are not ready for fourth-grade reading, yet they鈥檙e being sent to the fourth grade,鈥� Pinkerton said. 

VanDeusen echoed the concern and emphasized the long-term impact of early reading proficiency. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of research that shows that if kids aren鈥檛 reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade, the academic demands of school only get harder,鈥� she said. 

Beyond academic outcomes, literacy has far-reaching effects on the community.鈥�, PhD, assistant professor in the in COEHD, stressed the societal benefits of investing in early literacy programs. 

鈥淲hen we invest in early childhood education and care, we see lower public school expenditures, less need for remediation and fewer behavioral challenges,鈥� Rohloff said. 

Richmond County Schools Interim Superintendent Malinda Cobb, PhD, an alumna of AU’s COEHD, shared why the initiative is essential for the community. 

鈥淲hen everyone tells you you鈥檙e a below-level performer, you accept it,鈥� Cobb said. 鈥淪o, this work is not just about reading. It鈥檚 about our entire community and how we move forward together.鈥�

More information about the Get Georgia Reading: Augusta can be found on the .