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Launching Year 2 of the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative

Launching Year 2 of the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative

With not an empty chair to be found, more than 300 teachers filled the ballroom the morning of the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative (PELI) Year 2 kickoff celebration. These Pinellas County school district teachers gathered to learn about the program, the successes...
Greater Tampa Bay Area Literacy Convening

Greater Tampa Bay Area Literacy Convening

“Great Morning!” was the resounding welcome for attendees at our Greater Tampa Bay Area Literacy Convening on April 27, 2022, and what started as a ‘great morning’ evolved into a truly incredible day. As a result of the Lastinger Center for Learnings’s ongoing work...
Chris Sprowls’ literacy initiative hits $50M private funding goal

Chris Sprowls’ literacy initiative hits $50M private funding goal

FloridaPolitics.com Sprowls said 135,000 Florida students have received books through the program. House Speaker Chris Sprowls announced Wednesday that his statewide book delivery program is now fully funded thanks to $50 million in commitments from corporate...
Florida’s struggling readers flock to free book program

Florida’s struggling readers flock to free book program

A $200 million effort approved in 2021 by the Florida Legislature already has shipped nearly 336,000 free books to elementary school students in the state, making good on a promise to deliver a new book every month to children who need to boost reading skills. The...