October 21, 1997


Universities Accept America Reads Challenge


PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY JOIN THE AMERICA READS CHALLENGE

[T]o fundamentally succeed in having an America where opportunity is open to everyone who will work for it, and where everyone can be a part of a thriving American community, we must give all our children the world's best education.

President Bill Clinton
October 21, 1997

Today, as part of the America Reads Challenge, the President announced that nearly 800 colleges and universities, from every state, have pledged to commit work-study positions to help ensure that every American child can read well and independently. Less than a year ago, the Secretary of Education enabled the Federal Work-Study Program to pay all of the wages for students who work as reading tutors for elementary school children. In addition, the President named a steering committee of 21 college and university presidents who volunteered to start their own programs and to encourage other colleges to do the same.