Governor O'Malley, County Executive Ulman Visit School in Howard County
Kicks-Off Statewide Literacy Initiative
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 5, 2009)—Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, today visited with students at Running Brook Elementary School in Columbia and kicked off his . “Read Across Maryland” month statewide tour.
“It is an honor to be here today with students from Running Brook Elementary,” said Governor O’Malley. “With two number-one rankings for our schools, Maryland is in a unique position to serve as a national model for quality public education. This year, we are declaring March as ‘Read Across Maryland Month’ to encourage our children to read and learn not just this month, but all year long. Working together with educators and families across Maryland, we can instill a thirst for knowledge in our children that will help them achieve their dreams.”
Every year, the Cat in the Hat dazzles children and adults in celebration of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America and the birthday of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. This year, the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) formed a partnership with Governor Martin O’Malley to launch “Read Across Maryland,” a statewide literacy initiative. Beginning Monday, March 2nd, flags promoting the program will be seen flying in downtown Annapolis, and the 14 Annapolis-area schools will designate special “Read Across Maryland” reading shelves in their libraries. The Governor and members of his cabinet will join MSTA leaders for classroom visits and reading assemblies at select schools across the state during the month of March.
“We have always believed that we need to do more than spend one day out of the school year getting children excited about reading,” said Clara Floyd, President of the Maryland State Teachers Association. “There are great initiatives already going on that encourage our students to read, but Read Across Maryland will be a way for our children to see the Governor and other successful people come to their schools and personally encourage them to make reading good books a lifelong habit.”
Maryland’s public school students will be treated to readings by community leaders, elected officials, published authors and educators to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the creation of the Cat in the Hat and what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 105th birthday. Educators, local education associations and other organizations will embrace the celebration of reading with special events and programs in classrooms, museums, restaurants, libraries, shopping centers and malls. Each Thursday in March, Governor O’Malley will pay a special visit to a public school to encourage students to read and hand out parent tips and recommended reading lists.
The O’Malley-Brown Administration, in the first three years, has invested over $1 billion in school construction and renovation (compared to only $493 million in the comparable period of the prior administration), including $57.7 million in Howard County. Howard County has also received $9.7 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama last year. Since the passage of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan, State funding for local school systems has increased by $1.97 billion dollars, a 76-percent increase. Governor O’Malley proposed a record $5.4 billion funding level for FY2010 despite difficult economic times. In addition, for the first time ever, Maryland will have invested more than $1 billion in school construction funding over a three year period, including over $260 million proposed for FY2010 alone.
“We appreciate the considerable time and effort Governor O’Malley has put into visiting the Howard County education system over the past two years,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “And I was happy, but not surprised, to see how the state allocated its stimulus dollars--with most going to education.”
“We thank the Governor for lending his voice in support of two elements of education that we consider fundamental – reading and community involvement,” says Howard Superintendent Sydney Cousin. “His presence here today speaks volumes about his level of personal commitment. We are also extremely grateful for the influx of stimulus funds for next year. This funding allows us to preserve programs and initiatives we know are working. We are thankful that we do not have to contemplate cuts that would negatively impact instruction.”
In early January, Education Week Magazine ranked Maryland’s public schools number one in the nation. Shortly thereafter, the College Board ranked Maryland’s high schools number one in the nation for Advanced Placement participation and achievement.
For more information on Read Across Maryland, visit MSTA Online at www.mstanea.org. For parent tips, recommended lists, and more on NEA’s Read Across America, visit www.nea.org/readacross.
