April 8, 2013
The Connecticut Reading Association has presented its 2013 Legislative Literacy Advocate Award to Rep. Jason Rojas, a leading advocate for improving Connecticut’s educational system.
“Jason’s work shows his commitment to education in a concrete way at the neighborhood level, in the town that he represents and statewide,” said Ann Marie Mulready, of the association’s legislative committee.
“I am really honored to have been chosen for this great recognition,” Rojas said. “Reading is so fundamental to success in life and I remain committed to working on policy that improves reading outcomes for children and empowers teachers to be able to deliver research-based and high-quality interventions in the classroom.”
Mulready cited the K-3 Literacy Initiative as an example of Rojas’ strong leadership. Rojas developed and co-sponsored legislation creating the initiative, which became part of the larger education reform package passed last year by the legislature and signed into law.
As a result of the initiative, five schools around the state, including Anna E. Norris Elementary School in East Hartford, are piloting an intensive reading intervention program for students in those grades.
Mulready said Rojas also supported the development of a Family Resource Center in East Hartford that provides GED and ESL classes, summer camps, after school programs and home visitations. “Jason has also been an eager participant in Connecticut Loves To Read Day and initiated the Books in Barber Shops program in his district,” Mulready said.
“While this was an individual award I have to recognize colleagues at the Capitol that I have been lucky enough to have worked with over the years in improving how we approach reading instruction in Connecticut,” Rojas said.
“Nothing at the Capital is ever accomplished alone so I have to give recognition to Reps. Gary Holder-Winfield (D-New Haven) and Patricia Billie-Miller (D-Stamford), along with Elaine Zimmerman and Steven Hernandez at the Connecticut Commission on Children, Margie Gillis from LiteracyHow, Professors Michael Coyne and George Sugai from the NEAG School at Uconn, Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor and Governor Dannel Malloy. We worked as a team to improve reading instruction and we are already seeing positive outcomes for the children and teachers impacted by our collective effort,” Rojas said.
The Connecticut Reading Association is a non-profit, professional organization whose mission is to promote literacy for all, from birth through adulthood, though the promotion of research-based instructional practice and professional development.