AASL announces new reading grant
Contact: Kathy Agarwal
Communications Specialist
312-280-4381
For Immediate Release
August 15, 2006
AASL announces new reading grant
CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the newest addition to its grants and awards program - the AASL Innovative Reading Grant.
Sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, the $2,500 grant will support the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for students that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.
"Reading fluency is fundamental to overall student success and achievement," said AASL President Cyndi Phillip.
"AASL is proud to offer this new funding opportunity to school library media specialists who teach these essential life skills to their students. The AASL Board of Directors approved the new grant earlier this year and we are looking forward to learning about the winning project at next year's Awards Luncheon."
The grant is designed to fund literacy projects for grades K-9 that promote the importance of reading and facilitate literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice, and policy.
The selection committee will look for initiatives based on original ideas and methodology, which showcase innovative ways to motivate and involve students in reading.
Projects need to demonstrate potential to positively impact student learning and growth of reading skills.
Program proposals submitted must include a timeline, a budget and a statement of purpose, and should have potential for replication.
"Coughlan Publishing is pleased to be sponsoring this important grant with AASL," said Matt Keller, president, Capstone Press.
"The importance of literacy instruction cannot be emphasized enough and the role of the school librarian is crucial to a school's success in teaching students reading skills."
Applications and detailed information will be available on the AASL Web site
http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards on September 1, 2006.
Deadline for submission is February 1, 2007.
The Innovative Reading Grant is sponsored by Coughlan Publishing, whose companies include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books and Red Brick Learning.
The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program.
Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.
The Coughlan Publishing group consists of five children's book publishers, each with unique titles for children and young adults. Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, and Red Brick Learning help develop reading skills while educating students about curriculum topics. The newest member of the family, Stone Arch Books, presents exciting fiction for struggling and reluctant readers. With a broad range of titles, topics, and formats, Coughlan Publishing offers something for every child as they discover the wonderful world of reading.
