Remembering Senator Edward Kennedy                          

The Reading Recovery Community was honored and proud that Senator Edward M. Kennedy supported Reading Recovery as a highly effective early intervention. He understood Reading Recovery’s effectiveness both in providing excellent professional development for teachers and in its remarkable results for first graders who struggle in early literacy. His support was visible at the Teacher Leader Institute in 2002, at a Senate hearing of the Health, Education, Pensions and Labor Committee meeting, and in a co-signed “Dear Colleague” letter sent to 535 members of the U.S. House and Senate. He and his committed staff remained supportive through the present.

Senator Kennedy emphasized the importance of early literacy and early childhood education at the Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Institute in Boston in June 2002. His address was both personal and inspirational as he recalled his own love of books as a child and recognized the urgent need for high-quality instruction among children who struggle with early reading and writing.

Senator Kennedy’s support for Reading Recovery helped raise awareness about Reading Recovery as an effective early intervention.

The Reading Recovery community appreciated Senator Kennedy’s understanding and support on behalf of children who struggle with early literacy difficulty. Shown here with the senator are Reading Recovery trainers Gay Su Pinnell, The Ohio State University; and Irene Fountas, Lesley University.
 

Senator Edward Kennedy talks with Maribeth Schmitt, Purdue University, at a meeting of the Committee for Education Funding (CEF) in Washington, D.C. in 2002. "In this photo, I was telling him that I was the current president of RRCNA and thanking him for his support of Reading Recovery," Dr. Schmitt said. Senator Kennedy had just received a CEF award recognizing his contributions to education.

“Dear Colleague" Letter
Senator Kennedy not only supported Reading Recovery, he told his colleagues about it, too. He co-signed a letter with Maine Senator Susan Collins telling his 535 colleagues about Reading Recovery’s effectiveness. The letter said in part, “We believe Reading Recovery can be an important component of a comprehensive reading program supported by federal, state, or local funds."

Senate HELP Committee Testimony
Maine Reading Recovery teacher Trisha Rhodes was invited to provide testimony before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in June 2002. She spoke from a teacher’s perspective about how Reading Recovery professional development and instruction contribute to children’s literacy.