BILL NUMBER: ACR 62	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  81
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 29, 2011
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 1, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 1, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 15, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Brownley
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Butler, Feuer, Achadjian, Alejo,
Allen, Beall, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Buchanan, Charles
Calderon, Campos, Carter, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson,
Donnelly, Eng, Fong, Fuentes, Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Gatto, Gordon,
Hagman, Halderman, Hayashi, Roger Hernández, Hill, Huber, Hueso,
Jeffries, Jones, Mansoor, Mitchell, Monning, Morrell, Nestande,
Olsen, Pan, John A. Pérez, Portantino, Silva, Skinner, Solorio,
Swanson, Torres, Wagner, Wieckowski, Williams, and Yamada)
   (Coauthors: Senators Lieu, Liu, and Pavley)

                        MAY 23, 2011

   Relative to Read Across California Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 62, Brownley. Read Across California Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of March of every year as
Read Across California Month and request that public and private
stakeholders work together to raise awareness of the importance of
reading to young children and the importance of independent reading
among our pupils and citizens of California by encouraging everyone
to read for 30 minutes for 30 days during the month of March of every
year, in conjunction with the Read Across America campaign held
annually on March 2.



   WHEREAS, Reading is a fundamental skill that is the cornerstone of
a life of academic success as well as a fulfilling adult life. The
ability to learn about new subjects, to find necessary information on
issues ranging from health problems and consumer protection, and to
pursue academic research in science and the arts, depends upon the
ability to read; and
   WHEREAS, The frequency and regularity of reading independently has
a direct correlation to the level of reading skills. The more a
person reads, the better they become at reading; and
   WHEREAS, Reading out loud to children increases their interest in
mastering reading and exposes children to proper vocabulary, grammar,
and phrasing, and enhances the development of their own reading
skills; and
   WHEREAS, According to the Nation's Report Card, in California, 54
percent of grade 4 pupils and 64 percent of grade 8 pupils tested in
early 2009 scored at or above the basic reading level, a measure
indicating a partial mastery of grade-level content. Comparatively,
this is below national estimates suggesting 66 percent of all grade 4
pupils and 74 percent of all grade 8 pupils scored at basic or above
levels; and
   WHEREAS, The 2010 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
Program for the California Standards Tests reported that only 52
percent of pupils grades 2 to 11, inclusive, were proficient in
English-Language Arts; and
   WHEREAS, The Public Policy Institute of California's report,
"Lessons in Reading Reform: Finding What Works" (2010), highlights
the fact that struggling elementary and middle school pupils who are
given extra time for reading can make sizable gains in literacy; and
   WHEREAS, The State Department of Education states that reading is
important, both inside and outside of the school environment. Reading
and literacy skills provide pupils with the keys to lifelong
learning. The more pupils read, the better readers they will become.
Every effort should be made both at school and at home to get pupils
to do as much reading as possible; and
   WHEREAS, According to the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) 1994 Reading Assessment, 87 percent of pupils who
reported reading for fun on their own time once a month or more
performed at the proficient level, while 13 percent of pupils who
reported never or hardly ever reading for fun performed at the basic
level; and
   WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics now recognizes the
importance of early reading experiences and recommends daily reading
to children from at least six months of age; and
   WHEREAS, A United States Department of Education analysis found
that children who were read to at least three times a week by a
family member were almost twice as likely to score in the top 25
percent in reading than children who were read to less than three
times a week; and
   WHEREAS, Studies on emergent literacy have shown that children who
are read to from an early age are more successful at learning to
read; and
   WHEREAS, In conjunction with the Read Across America campaign held
annually on March 2, this measure would establish the Read Across
California reading initiative, which would encourage the citizens of
California to read for 30 minutes for 30 days during the month of
March; and
   WHEREAS, Private and public sector organizations and agencies, as
well as private and public citizens, may participate in this reading
initiative to let our pupils know that their academic success and
reading ability is important to the economy, stability, and
prosperity of the State of California; and
   WHEREAS, Participants from the public and private sectors may
participate in reading to children in the public schools, private
schools, libraries, or other appropriate community facilities; and
   WHEREAS, This public awareness campaign would be implemented
through private and public partnerships and not seek state funding at
this time; and
   WHEREAS, The Read Across California initiative will foster a love
of reading and encourage our young people and all citizens of our
state to explore the many exciting wonders of the world through
books; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the month of March
of every year as Read Across California Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature requests stakeholders, both public
and private, to work together to raise awareness of the importance of
reading to young children and the importance of independent reading
among our pupils and citizens of California by encouraging everyone
to read for 30 minutes for 30 days during the month of March of every
year, in conjunction with the Read Across America campaign held
annually on March 2; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.