The following is being distributed at the request of the Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation:

Atlantic Ministers of Education focus on reading literacy

Young Atlantic Canadians will receive additional encouragement and support to develop their reading skills. The Ministers of Education of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador announced October 4 that they are working together to develop reading literacy strategies for English- and French-language students throughout the Atlantic region. The departments of education, under the auspices of the Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation, are collaborating to provide schools and communities with additional tools to foster, enrich, and maintain all children�s reading literacy skills. The ministers� announcement supports provincial initiatives in literacy.

The ministers wish to ensure that children from every community in the region achieve their greatest potential in learning how to read. The regional literacy strategy will unfold during this school year and will support students, teachers, parents, and communities. Jane Purves, Nova Scotia Education Minister, noted: "It is our responsibility to promote a positive learning environment that will lead young students to find meaning and pleasure in reading."

The development of early reading skills is a priority at the preschool and elementary level. Early reading strategies need to provide quality reading instruction and effective interventions for those having problems learning to read. "Children who are exposed to a reading environment in their early years are more likely to read without difficulty in school. It is vital that our departments encourage and support the development of reading skills at an early age," stated Jeff Lantz, the Prince Edward Island Minister of Education. Early reading literacy is also fundamental in a francophone milieu as the young child must be in an environment that promotes the development of various aspects of the French language and the culture.

Reading begins at home, and creating a family environment favourable to the development of reading skills will help to motivate, awaken, and cultivate a positive attitude in the child. The involvement of communities and their network of community-based organizations and institutions will serve to support reading related activities. Elvy Robichaud, Minister of Education for the Province of New Brunswick, stated: "Learning to read is an activity that must take place at school, at home and in the community. The involvement of community, and other partners, is critical to creating the momentum necessary to ensure a positive impact on the literacy skills of tomorrow�s active and involved citizens."

The ministers are committed to raising public awareness on the importance of reading and writing skills in the technology and communications-driven world of the 21^st century. Beaton Tulk, Newfoundland and Labrador�s Acting Minister of Education, noted: "Reading skills are vital to each child�s success in school and employment and it is important to everyone that children are prepared to take their place as our communities� next leaders."

Ministers concluded that the challenges and issues pertaining to reading literacy are common to the four departments of education. The ministers are confident that the joint effort will have a positive impact on schools and communities throughout the region, will complement the regional language arts curricula, and will support the existing and planned provincial literacy initiatives.

The Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation is an agency of the Council of Maritime Premiers. It is composed of the ministers of education of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Its goal is to promote regional cooperation in education.

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2000 10 05 12:10 p.m.