FSU Professor Joseph Torgesen

Torgesen with Governor Bush

Governor Bush applauded Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen, director of the Florida Center for Reading Research on his commitment to the Just Read, Florida! initiative.

"We set out to create the nation's preeminent reading research center, and thanks to the hard work of Dr. Torgesen and his fellow researchers, this achievement shows that Florida is well on its way to having the finest reading researchers assembled in one place," said Governor Bush. "I am proud the federal government recognizes the reading expertise we have in Florida."

Florida was one of the first states to receive a competitive Reading First award to help improve reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade, and the Florida Center for Reading Research has played an active role in helping to design and implement this effort in Florida.

"We are fortunate to have one of the nation's top reading centers right here in Florida," said Education Commissioner Jim Horne. "The Florida Center for Reading Research at FSU - where one of our state universities is contributing to improvement in elementary education - is but one example of how having a seamless K-20 system is strengthening education in Florida."

The other centers that will become part of the National Reading First Technical Assistance Center are based at the University of Texas and the University of Oregon. RMC Research Corporation will coordinate the work of the centers across the United States. FCRR's center will be responsible for technical assistance to states along the Eastern Seaboard, but it will also have specific responsibilities that will extend across all states. The responsibilities will include helping states that have not yet received their reading first award to prepare their application and to assist states that have already received their awards to implement them successfully.

Florida will be one of the states served by the technical assistance center, so this will bring additional support for Florida's efforts, which are guided by the Reading First office at the Department of Education. The first year award to FCRR is for $1.6 million, and the contract is renewable for up to five years.