Early education is one of our top priorities, and, happily, Governor Greg Abbott feels the same way.

By signing House Bill 4 into law on May 28, he created a program that will distribute up to $130 million worth of grants to school districts that meet certain requirements in regard to certified teachers and state-approved curriculum. Eligible school districts will bolster their draw of students from low-income, non-English speaking, foster, and military families.   

According to Abbott, this law will establish a "high-quality, accountable Pre-K program in Texas."

This excites us, because we know the facts all too well:  

Two-thirds of America's children living in poverty have no books at home. (Reading is Fundamental) In Texas, one in four preschoolers never gets read to, and by the time they start kindergarten, they're already well behind their classmates. (The Annie E. Casey Foundation) But it doesn't have to be this way . . .

Research demonstrates that high-quality pre-K increases a child's chances of succeeding in school and in life. Children who attend high-quality programs are less likely to be held back a grade, less likely to need special education, and more likely to graduate from high school. They also have higher earnings as adults and are less likely to become dependent on welfare or involved with law enforcement. (The PEW Charitable Trusts)

Yes, we advocate for children by urging our legislators to support measures such as HB 4, and by aligning Literacy Connexus with groups such as Texas Cares for Children and Pastors for Texas Children. But we do more than talk!  

This week we're in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr counties, one of the poorest regions in Texas, delivering books to summer feeding sites. These books and financial support for this project come from a variety of sources, including Texas Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas, the Trull Foundation, Fort Worth ISD libraries, The Nelrod Company, churches, and individuals. Thank you, all!

Stay tuned for updates on these projects, along with stories about church-hosted family reading fairs happening during the summer in neighborhoods around Fort Worth and beyond!

Now is the time to take a look at our slate of fall TEX (Teaching English with Excellence) workshops. Do you need trained volunteers for an existing ESL (English as a Second Language) program? Thinking about offering an ESL ministry in your church to serve families in the community? TEX is the place to start. The workshops are comprehensive and inexpensive, and are presented in various locations around the state. See the lineup below, and call us if you have questions.

To the hundreds of ESL programs that are wrapping up for summer, thank you for another great year of effective ministry!