Duval Schools launches $5.5 million reading initiative

The Duval Public School district launched a new reading initiative Tuesday morning called, "Read it Forward Jax" aimed at raising the literacy rate for students K-12.

The program comes a day after most of the FCAT results were released statewide.  Here locally students showed some small gains in reading but Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals says there's more work to be done.

"This is about changing the culture of the city," said Pratt-Dannals in a news release.  "Our goal is to have every child reading at grade level every year and this reading initiative provides the necessary resources to ensure success."

Along with the school district, the city, local businesses, faith based organizations, and non-profits are joining in on this effort.  The partners in this initiative are providing funds for books and other resources to help students.

As for the $5.5 million, most of that money is being used to train teachers over the summer.

Running alongside this program is a pilot program for 50 students.  The "TV Textbook" is being introduced to students who might not have Internet capabilities at home.  The small box works almost like a gaming device; it hooks up to the television and has engaging reading lessons for students to work on at home.  Each device costs $60; several business partners are supporting this pilot program and have purchased those "TV Textbooks."

The program was kicked off at the Matthew Gilbert Middle School.  Along with the superintendent were Mayor John Peyton, Mayor-Elect Alvin Brown, Sheriff John Rutherford, Fire/Rescue Chief Dr. Charles Moreland, Baptist Health President/CEO and Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hugh Greene, along with others.