Newsroom
Bobby Bonds Head Start and State Preschool Programs reach goal of 100 guest readers
The staff of the Bobby Bonds Head Start and State Preschool Programs in Riverside reached their goal for 100 volunteers to read to children by the month of June. Community volunteers contributing to reaching this goal included everyone from University of California, Riverside college students, to police officers, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Kenn Young and County Supervisor Jeff Stone.
A special ceremony will be held June 16, 2009, at the center to thank all of the readers and celebrate the literacy program for students.
Head Start and State Preschool programs of the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) are for children whose families are below the federal and/or state income guidelines, as well as for children with disabilities. These federally and state funded programs have existed nationally for over 30 years. The Head Start program gives children and their families a real “Head Start” by providing services to children and families such as connections to community resources, dental, medical/health screenings, and requires that only the most qualified staff work within the program.
The importance of RCOE's efforts to increase language acquisition and development through Head Start and State Preschool programs is underscored by numerous research studies; Hart & Risley's study of three year olds found that high Socio-Economic Status (SES) children know over 1,100 words, middle SES children know 750 words, and low SES children know only 480 words.
The fourth and final RAND California Preschool Study Report released last week noted that proactive preschool policy is integral to K-12 educational reform. Research and policy recommendations from RAND show how California must invest in a high-quality early learning system to close the achievement gap for all students.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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