New York, NY (November 17, 2006) -- The facts tell a disturbing story. Latino children, California’s largest youth population and nearly half of its student body, are performing well below national standards, and indicators of reading difficulty are evident even before children enter kindergarten. Studies show that this early literacy skill gap hinders academic achievement throughout a child’s education.  Para Los Niños, a Los Angeles family service agency which assists 3,000 low-income children each weekday, has joined with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, The National Council of La Raza, a leading voice for Hispanic Americans in the United States, and the Verizon Foundation, to help begin reversing this trend and give parents, caregivers and educators the tools necessary to build early literacy skills.
 
Understanding the significance of utilizing culture and tradition in preparing young children for school, Scholastic collaborated with NCLR and the Verizon Foundation to develop Lee y serásÒ (Read and You Will Be), a national early literacy initiative and curriculum which takes a multi-faceted approach--recognizing the strong, inherent literacy-building traditions of Latino culture, such as storytelling, poetry and song. On November 17, Para Los Niños introduces Lee y serás to the thousands of families it serves during its community celebration, “Celebrando Culturas.”
 
“Para Los Niños is taking a leading role on the Lee y serás initiative in our community because of its direct, positive impact on the children and families we serve everyday,” said Gisselle Acevedo, President and CEO of Paros Los Niños. “The initiative supports our goal to provide children with a solid educational foundation, which gives them the chance every child should have to fulfill individual dreams.”
 
For the millions of Latinos who make up the fastest growing minority population in the country, particularly those who are living in communities with emerging Hispanic populations and limited resources, the Lee y seras web site at www.leeyseras.net, provides access to valuable information and practical tools for families who want to help their children acquire the skills and knowledge they need for reading. “The web site unites communities nationwide in their efforts to promote Latino early literacy,” said Karen Proctor, Scholastic Vice President of Community Affairs. “The site…through podcasts, chat rooms, downloadables…brings research-based curriculum, culturally appropriate tools, and expert voices to anyone, anywhere, who is committed to ensuring that Latino children have the support they need to become strong readers and learners.”
 
Some of those expert voices will be heard during “Celebrando Culturas,” when educators and community leaders engage in a dialogue about the Latino early literacy crisis and solutions. The panel discussion will take place from 11 a.m. until noon at Para Los Niños, 1521 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, and will be moderated by Gisselle Acevedo, PLN President and CEO. Panelists include:
 
- Yolie Flories Aguilar, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Children’s Planning Council
- Ana Gamiz, California Association for Bilingual Education
- Oralia Garza de Cortés, Los Angeles Universal Preschool
 
The panel discussion also will be available as a podcast and videocast on www.leeyseras.net beginning November 27, 2006. 
 
“Using technology to improve literacy and education is one of the key missions of the Verizon Foundation,” said Tim McCallion, West Region President for Verizon.  “Online resources such as Lee y serás and the Verizon Literacy Network expand teaching beyond the classroom to give parents and community leaders the tools they need to improve literacy and enhance future opportunities for their children.”
 
“Since ensuring a strong economy in today’s 21st century marketplace depends on having a highly educated and prepared workforce, Latino educational achievement is no longer only a moral matter but a pressing socioeconomic issue with significant implications for our nation, California, and our community,” said Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.
 
Lee y serás has launched in cities around the country including New York, Washington, D.C., Dallas, as well as Danbury, Connecticut and San Jose, California.  The initiative will launch in Chicago next month and in Miami in early 2007.
 
About Lee y serás
Lee y serás® is a national Latino early literacy initiative that empowers and engages families and communities to foster children’s literacy development. By providing research-based, in-culture, and bilingual curricula and materials for families, childcare providers and leaders, the program's goal is to create long-term attitudinal and behavioral change in an effort to help close the education achievement gap. Created by and for the community, the initiative is a collaboration of Scholastic, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Verizon.  For more information visit www.leeyseras.net.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.
 
About Para los Niños
Para Los Niños opened its doors in 1980 in response to the plight of children living in Skid Row hotels. Initially, 45 children received care at the agency; today, in its 26th year of operation, Para Los Niños assists nearly 3,000 low-income children each day and over 5,000 families every year from 21 sites in some of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Southern California.  Core services include early childhood development and education, a Charter School (K-5), after-school enrichment, youth diversion and delinquency prevention, and youth workforce services.  In addition, Para Los Niños offers support to at-risk families, including child abuse prevention and intervention, mental health services and comprehensive family support.
 
About the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States – works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.   Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs) NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.  To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas – assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health.  In addition, NCLR provides capacity-building assistance to its affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country.  NCLR has operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org.
 
About The Verizon Foundation
Verizon delivers technology that touches life.  The Verizon Foundation uses that technology and the foundation’s financial resources to improve literacy and K-12 education; to support victims of domestic violence; and improve the delivery of health care.  In 2005, the foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad.  The Foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, which is one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States and responsible for 2 million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation. 
 
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 57 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

 

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