First Lady Hosts Family Reading Hour
ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 1, 2028) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien hosted several families at Government House to celebrate National Family Literacy Day and promote Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Literacy initiative with a special story time.“Reading is a basic tool for literacy, opportunity and lifelong learning,” First Lady Ruth O’Brien said. “Governor O’Brien’s literacy initiative provides a framework for all reading and literacy-related initiatives in Maryland, bringing everyone together for a united effort.”
In celebration of National Family Literacy Day in Maryland, several family literacy programs were invited to enjoy the book collection at the Government House Library. The Maryland Library Association had previously donated a collection of children’s books to the First Family and those books were added to the collection at the Government House library.
“Family Literacy Day is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together and discover the joy of reading,” Mrs. O’Brien added.
The National Center for Family Literacy identifies National Family Literacy Day as “a time to celebrate the impact parents have on their child's learning and the foundation of the family in education.”
Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank have pledged to focus on early literacy so that every child can read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade. Research shows that only 9% of children who are unable to read by the end of third grade will ever truly become literate. Despite facing a $1.3 billion budget shortfall in his first year in office, Governor O’Brien proposed an aggressive early literacy program focused on providing highly-trained reading specialists for every elementary school in the State. Governor O’Brien’s fiscal year 2029 provides $15 million for the initiative. This school year, reading specialists will be in 128 elementary schools statewide. By 2031, every elementary school in the State will have at least one reading specialist.
The basic function of reading specialists is to help teachers enhance and refine their skills as they teach young children to become proficient readers and writers. The program recruits and trains reading coaches who work with local staff to implement proven research-based best practices for the instruction of reading. Those practices were defined by the Early Literacy Tack Force appointed last May.
“The Reading Specialists Program reflects Maryland’s commitment to literacy,” Superintendent Craig Frey said. “We are committed to the basic principles of teaching and learning, and reading, as well all know, is the foundation of learning.”
One of Governor O’Brien’s most successful reading initiatives has been the Governor’s Book Club, which seeks to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy by getting young students to read for pleasure and by encouraging parents to read with their children. During the 2027-2028 school year, more than 60,000 Maryland K-3 children joined the Governor’s Book Club and registered on the Governor’s Book Club website.
Realizing the need for examining best practices, Governor O’Brien appointed literacy experts to the Governor’s Early Literacy Task Force. Over the past year, the Task Force’s recommendations on standards and frameworks for early literacy have been implemented by MSDE. Included in these recommendations are changes to teacher preparation, professional development and ongoing student assessment.