Bethlehem, PA. - July 21, 2020 - The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced Lehigh Valley Reads is recognized with Pacesetter Honors for its work in 2019. Three honors were awarded for exemplary work in two categories.
Improving Instruction was awarded for Lehigh Valley Reads’ Micro-Credential, a type of continuing education for teachers based on the science of reading, and Strengthening Support Services honors were awarded for United Way’s AmeriCorps VISTA program and Lehigh Valley Community Schools as Agents of Change.
“We applaud the civic leaders and local funders whose time, talent, energy and imagination have fueled progress in these Pacesetter Communities,” says Ralph Smith, Managing Director of CGLR. “Mobilized communities — like these Pacesetters — support our big bet on the problem-solving potential of proximity.”
A collaborative effort by funders, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities to ensure that more children in low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career and active citizenship, CGLR focuses on promoting early school success as an important building block of more hopeful futures for children in economically challenged families and communities.
“Lehigh Valley Reads is honored to be recognized on a national level for the work we are doing that directly impacts children and families. Our focus on science-based reading instruction and supporting all aspects of a child’s educational journey from an early age will lead to better outcomes for our community,” said Angela Zanelli, Campaign Director for Lehigh Valley Reads.
Lehigh Valley Reads is a regional literacy campaign, powered by PBS39 and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, to ensure all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade, by 2025.
“We are truly honored to be partners of Lehigh Valley Reads aimed at advancing our community’s literacy rates across the region," said Jill Pereira, Vice President, Education and Impact at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “In addition to the new work of the micro-credential program we are thrilled to have our AmeriCorps VISTA program and the LV Community School Network highlighted as meaningful supports for kids and families across our community. These pacesetter honors are a testament to the amazing work of hundreds of community partners who have banded together to advance this goal.”
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About Lehigh Valley Public Media™
Lehigh Valley Public Media is home to PBS39, WLVR News, and various community initiatives. We are the regional leader in the publicly funded, non-profit media space and serve a vibrant and growing economic region through a dedication to local, unbiased journalism, primary and secondary education, workforce development and health and wellness. PBS39 broadcasts four additional channels of content: PBS39 Extra, WORLD, Create TV and France 24. Lehigh Valley Public Media is licensed in Allentown to the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. For more information, visit PBS39.org.
About the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Launched in 2010, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative effort of funders, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities across the nation to ensure that many more children from low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career and active citizenship. Since its launch, CGLR has grown to include more than 300 communities, representing 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and two provinces in Canada — with 5,000+ local organizations and 510 state and local funders (including 200+ United Ways). To learn more, visit gradelevelreading.net and follow the movement on Twitter @readingby3rd.