EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — McDonald’s has launched the “I Love to Read with McDonald’s” program on Wednesday, Sept. 10, to help foster a lifelong love of reading among El Paso’s youngest students.
The initiative is in partnership with Clint, Fabens, and Canutillo school districts, according to a news release by McDonald’s in El Paso.
It will encourage kindergarten to 3rd-grade students to read one book per week over eight weeks, beginning September 15 through December 7.
This comes after a new study from the University of Florida and University College London found that reading among young people has seen a dramatic decline over the past two decades, falling by more than 40 percent.
Additionally, research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that children who are not proficient in reading by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
Similarly, the U.S. Department of Education reports that reading just 20 minutes a day exposes children to 1.8 million words annually, strengthening vocabulary and comprehension.
Studies also show that reading for pleasure is more strongly linked to academic success than even a parent’s education level or family income, highlighting the profound impact literacy can have on a child’s future, according to the news release.
Program highlights include the following, according to the news release:
- Weekly reading goals: Students will be encouraged to read a minimum of one book per week.
- Incentives for student participation: Free McDonald’s treats such as ice cream cones, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers.
- In addition, McDonald’s will provide: Each elementary school participating will receive $1,000 to create excitement and recognize the students who participate in the reading program
- Celebration and recognition: Students who complete the program will receive certificates, a free book, and entry into a sweepstakes for prizes including bicycles and family McDonald’s parties.
“Our goal is to help every student achieve grade-level reading by third grade, while also making reading fun, rewarding, and something they look forward to doing,” said Richard Castro, Owner/Operator of McDonald’s.
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