Last Friday, Governor Kay Ivey shared a video message to Alabama students ahead of Read Across America Week, encouraging young people across the state to embrace the power of reading.
In her remarks, Ivey reminds students “that every big dream begins with learning, and learning begins with reading.”
“As Dr. Seuss said, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go,'” Ivey added. “Take it from me, a love of learning, a good education and hard work can take you further than you ever imagined.”
As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, Ivey is also challenging students to read about “America’s history, the freedoms cherished and the leaders who helped shape this great country.”
Started in 1998 by the National Education Association, NEA, Read Across America is the nation’s largest reading motivation and literacy awareness program. While schools, libraries and communities across the country often celebrate with an annual event on March 2, Read Across America also provides resources and activities year-round to encourage reading among children and teens.
Throughout her tenure, Ivey has been adamant about improving Alabama’s literacy scores, signing into law the 2019 Literacy Act—which mandates that third-grade students demonstrate sufficient reading skills to be promoted to fourth grade—and partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide free books to Alabama children aged five and under.
