New York, NY (December 1, 2003) -- The National Urban League, Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, and State Farm announce the launch of Read and Rise Magazine, a new early literacy publication that encourages African-American parents and caregivers to introduce young children to books and help them develop a lifelong love of reading. Over 100,000 copies of the child-friendly, culturally-enriched magazine will be distributed free four times a year as a unique resource for families who want to encourage their children to become enthusiastic readers. The goal of the new publication is to help close the gap in reading achievement that continues to exist between African-American children and their peers. The new magazine adds another component to the well-received Read and Rise Early Literacy Initiative that was created by the League and Scholastic in 2001.
 
The 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress report released last month shows that only 13% of African-American fourth graders read at or above proficient level compared with 41% of white and 38% of Asian fourth graders. Hispanic students scored slightly higher than black students. Studies have shown that children who cannot read on grade level by grade four, are at increased risk of academic failure.
 
“Research shows that the early childhood years are critical to literacy development, and that reading aloud to children appears to be the single most important activity that parents can do to build the knowledge and skills needed for reading success,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League. “Read and Rise Magazine will help parents expose their children to the wonderful world of books and is another tool to help close the gap in reading achievement.”
 
“Read and Rise Magazine is specifically designed for African-American families and children to promote the knowledge and skills needed for reading and academic achievement," said Akimi Gibson, Vice President and General Manager, Scholastic Early Childhood Education. "It provides parents and other caregivers with literature, robust vocabulary-building activities, and content that is meaningful to help children develop a deep passion for learning during the early years that are critical to a child's development. The magazine encourages reading aloud and building vocabulary and oral language, the keys to becoming successful readers and learners." 
 
“Reading is the foundation for academic and life success,” said Clayton Adams, Vice President, Community Development, State Farm. “It's important for parents to spend time reading to their children and having their children read to them. Read and Rise Magazine is an outstanding resource to introduce children to the world of literature.”
 
The visually and verbally-rich Read and Rise Magazine is designed to appeal to African-American children up to nine years of age with culturally-enriched stories and bright, colorful illustrations excerpted from popular award-winning children's books. Read and Rise Magazine will be distributed by the National Urban League through its 105-affiliate network across the country, and through its Achievement Matters Campaign partners, such as the Congress of National Black Churches, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the National Alliance of Black School Educators and 100 Black Men of America Inc., among others.
 
The magazine will serve as a complement to the 750,000 Read and Rise parenting guides that were distributed in communities across the nation through Urban League affiliates and campaign partners over the past year. Both the magazine and the guide are part of the Read and Rise initiative, a joint partnership between the League, Scholastic and State Farm, to provide parents and families with the necessary tools to help their children gain early literacy and begin to bridge the achievement gap. The initiative aims to increase parental awareness of the importance of their role in helping children to develop a love of reading and to reinforce the importance of reading to children from birth.
 
The Read and Rise parenting guide offers parents practical age-appropriate tips and fun activities to help their children become good readers. Parents are encouraged to integrate reading and language development skills into common everyday activities such as using phonetics to read street signs, having children write out grocery lists, and spelling the names of various household items.
 
To further promote the importance of reading and early literacy, Urban League affiliates will offer training sessions to parents and other caregivers in their local communities on the best and most effective methods for helping their children learn how to read based on age-appropriate and developmental abilities. Parents, families and caregivers can obtain Read and Rise Magazine and/or the guide by contacting their local Urban League affiliate. The guide is also available by downloading from the National Urban League website: www.nul.org/programs/education/read_rise.html.
 
The Urban League is the nation's largest community-based movement empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the nonprofit, nonpartisan movement, while Urban League affiliates operate in 105 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Visit the National Urban League website at: www.nul.org.
 
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. 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.
 
State Farm ® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 16,000 agents and 75,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products through State Farm Bank ®. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 21 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit www.statefarm.com® or in Canada www.statefarm.ca.

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