Date: July 7, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachel Debigare
Executive Director, The Education Foundation of Alachua County, Gainesville, FL
Phone: 352-955-7250 Ext.224, FAX: 844-669-7848
Email: Debigarere@gm.sbac.edu

The Education Foundation of Alachua County receives $25,000 AT&T Grant to Fund Six-
Week Summer Reading Program

Gainesville, FLThe Education Foundation of Alachua County is pleased to announce that it has
received a $25,000 grant from AT&T to use for the Winning Reading Boost program, a
competency-based program that teaches struggling second- to fifth-grade students how to read
using a variety of engaging and effective strategies. Winning Reading Boost was developed
through a partnership between the University Of Florida College Of Educations Lastinger Center
for Learning and Sue Dickson, a much heralded and award winning author and publisher.

Alachua County Public Schools, the Lastinger Center for Learning, along with the
Education Foundation of Alachua County are currently implementing this six-week program at
Lake Forest Elementary School. Forty five students, comprised of rising second grade students,
and retained third grade students, are participating in Winning Reading Boost this summer.

To measure the success of the program, students are assessed at the beginning and again
after completing the program. The program was recently piloted at two low-performing
elementary schools in Alachua County, Rawlings Elementary School and Alachua Elementary
School. To ensure it is implemented exactly as intended, the University of Florida selects, trains
and certifies a team of energetic and passionate educators to deliver Winning Reading Boost in a
highly engaging, motivating, fun and powerful learning experience that results in students
becoming successful readers after completing the 36-set program.

###
The Education Foundation of Alachua County is a non-profit organization with a mission of
investing in the future of Alachua County Public School students. The first program founded by The
Education Foundation was the Senior Scholarship Program, which provides college scholarships to local
high school seniors. The Foundation also administers the Take Stock in Children Program, a mentoring and
college scholarship program for at-risk middle and high school students in the community. Teachers are also
supported through the Foundations Find it & Fund It and Catalyst for Change programs.

For more information how to get involved with the Foundation contact Program Director, Luisana
Segu at 352-955-7250 Ext. 262.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its
community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities;
promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&Ts
signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on
the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, weve
passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.

###