Hello, 

As a media person who really cares about children and reports on parenting and education issues,  I thought you would find the following information interesting and useful:

“There is a profound reading crisis in the United States. 39%, almost 40%, of fourth graders do not read even at the basic level and a majority of students do not read at the proficient level.”  – James Wendorf, Executive Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities

“This program and the kind of effort that you’re doing seems to be just perfect. When I saw your list of the people you have already interviewed or were set to interview it was, of course, the Who’s Who of the whole field.”  – Chris Doherty, National Program Director, Reading First Program, U.S. Department of Education

The Children of the Code Project (COTC), in cooperation with the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), is offering free, education seminars to communities around the country. ‘The Code and the Challenge of Learning to Read It’, is a three-hour learning odyssey intended to help educators, parents, and all who care for children develop a deeper first-person understanding of the process of learning to read. Now in its second year, the seminar has been held in over 20 cities around the nation and has received great reviews. Most of the costs are underwritten by contributions to NCFL.Attendance is free at the events. (News release on relationship: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=36169)

Featuring clips from over one hundred in-depth interviews taped for the Children of the Code Project and Television Documentary Series, “The Code and the Challenge of Learning to Read it” is a ‘live’, exciting and perspective-shifting learning experience designed to help teachers, parents, literacy volunteers, counselors, justice workers and all who care for children develop a deeper understanding of the mental and emotional challenges involved in learning to read. 

“Our most compelling crisis and challenge in education is addressing the epidemic of illiteracy. Toward that end, I ask your consideration of this compelling proposal.” – Senator John Vasconcellos, Chair, California Senate Education Committee

“Like most scholars, until awakened by the “Children of the Code” project, I took reading as much for granted as eating and drinking. Very few of us have paid sufficient attention to the specific emotions triggered in children as they begin to read. “Children of the Code” merits the serious attention of anyone interested in emotional health of children or the future of America.” –   Donald L. Nathanson, M.D. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, Author: Shame and Pride and Knowing Feeling

Including clips from interviews* with:

“What really attracted me to your project was its originality and breadth.  I really like that you have assembled such a diverse group of experts in a variety of areas pertaining to reading. What I think is really important for the public to understand is the magnitude of the numbers of individuals (not just dyslexics) who struggle to learn to read, and the impact this has both on the individuals affected, as well as on society.”–  Dr. Paula Tallal, Chair of Neuroscience, Rutgers University

“This project is very impressive. I think it’s wonderful and I think it’s going to be great because you’re hitting it from so many different angles.” – Dr. Sylvia Richardson, Past-President, International Dyslexia Association

Please take a few moments to understand the 
importance of this project: please click here

If you are interested in doing a story on the project, additional media support resources can be found at: http://www.childrenofthecode.org/library/mediaresources.htm

* Note about interviews: Participation in a Children of the Code interview does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the Children of the Code project or documentary by the interviewee. Conversely, publishing an interview does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the views of the interviewee, other than as stated in the actual interview, by the Children of the Code project or documentary.