Active Young Readers Initiative

Education Minister Jane Purves launched an initiative today that will give 42,000 Nova Scotia elementary school students a better start in reading.

As part of the Active Young Readers program, the Department of Education is investing $1.5 million to enhance learning supports and resources in every Primary to Grade 3 classroom in the province.

"We want all children to be reading by the end of grade 1," said Ms. Purves. "By the end of Grade 3 we want them to be reading successfully and applying their skills in all subjects."

The minister joined a Grade 1 classroom at Fairview Heights Annex School this morning as students participated in Active Reading Hour, one of the main components of the initiative.

Students take part in whole class activities, such as teacher read-aloud and shared reading sessions, as well as guided reading sessions for small groups, and independent reading.

Active Young Readers is designed to enhance the existing language arts curricula in English, French Immersion, and French first language programs.

"Active Young Readers will see around 100 books delivered to every grade Primary to 3 classroom in the province this fall," said Ms. Purves. "This amounts to $1 million of new learning resources for 320 schools, 2000 classrooms, and 42,000 students."

Another $300,000 goes toward educators in grades Primary to 3. They will participate in professional development workshops centred on active reading.

An additional $200,000 will be allocated to new resources for students involved in the Reading Recovery Program, geared to students who are slow to start reading in Grade 1.

Active Young Readers is part of Nova Scotia's comprehensive approach to developing literacy at all levels - in the early years through the public school system, and through adult programs such as workplace literacy, Adult Basic Education and community-based literacy programs.

"Promoting literacy and lifelong learning are government's highest priorities" the minister said. "We know the early years are critical in building a strong foundation in literacy, especially reading."