FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    CONTACT INFORMATION
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
    Holly Radcliffe
    March 29, 2006
    (850) 245-5030
    Holly.Radcliffe@fldoe.org
    MEMORANDUM
    K-12: 2006-45
    To: Middle School Principals
    From: Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
    Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools
    Re: Guinness Book of World Records Read Aloud
    In January, Commissioner John Winn launched a year-long middle school reading initiative aimed at
    reading achievement in grades six, seven, and eight, with three contests built in to motivate middle
    school students to take their reading one step further.
    Middle school students can struggle with reading for a variety of reasons: they have little time to
    practice reading, and they have little motivation to read -- and because of that, they are not developing
    vocabulary and background and content knowledge that they can apply in other areas. Research tells
    us that students who do not read during the summer may lose, on average, two to three months of skill.
    Through Governor Bush’s leadership, and with the support of the Florida Legislature, we have worked
    hard to provide solid professional development for middle school teachers and reading coaches; we
    have also offered instructional enhancements such as free oral reading fluency probes. The “Shoot for
    the Stars” initiative allows us to address, on a much larger scale, the factors that we know influence
    reading proficiency in middle school.
    The “Shoot for the Stars: A Record-Breaking Year for Middle Schools” initiative consists of three
    contests:
     
    Commissioner Winn’s FCAT Reading Scores Challenge
     
    Chancellor Yecke’s Summer Book Reading Challenge
     
    Governor and First Lady’s Reading in the Arts Contest
    Detailed information on the Commissioner’s FCAT Scores challenge is available at
    www.justreadflorida.com. More detail regarding the second and third parts of this initiative will be
    released at a later date. Please encourage your middle schools to rally around these activities aimed at
    rising student achievement.
    CHERI P
    YECKE, PH.D.
    CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org

    Guinness Read Aloud
    March 29, 2006
    Page Two
    In addition to the three contests, a suggestion from one of your colleagues is an exciting opportunity
    for Florida’s middle grades students and schools. We are exploring the possibility of breaking a
    current Guinness World Record,
    Most People Reading Aloud Simultaneously at Multiple Locations
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    The purpose of this memo is to determine the interest level of Florida’s middle schools in completing
    this task and breaking the world record. The current record is held by 155,528 pupils in the United
    Kingdom, but with a concentrated effort, Florida’s almost 628,000 middle school students will easily
    surpass this.
    The event will tentatively take place in September 2006, and will require approximately one hour of
    the school day. After a statewide broadcast including a documentary on the project and discussion
    with the author, all Florida middle grades students will read aloud a 3-4 minute excerpt of text, to be
    determined by Just Read, Florida!
    Participation in this event will require several technical and manpower commitments on the part of the
    school. We encourage you to involve your PTA for these services. Please complete the attached form
    and return it to my office by April 30, 2006. Contact information is on the form.
    We look forward to working with your school as we seek to break this record.
    cc: District Superintendents

    Guinness Book of World Records Read Aloud
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    Interest Form
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    PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY APRIL 30, 2006
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    School Name:
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    Address:
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    Phone Number:
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    District:
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    Principal’s Name:
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    Identify a staff member to be the contact person for this event. (We highly recommend the media
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    specialist.)
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    Name:
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    Title:
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    Phone Number:
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    Approximate number of students in September 2006:
    Will you be able to provide:
    YES NO
    TV Access
    with the Florida Knowledge Network or the Florida Channel
    OR
    Internet Access to view a webcast
     
    One per classroom*
    Videographer
     
    One per classroom*
     
    Video footage of the record attempt must be submitted on VHS (PAL or
    NTSC), DVD, or CD-ROM video. Where possible, the original footage
    should also be supplied on DV or Mini DV.
    Photographer
     
    One per classroom*
     
    High quality color photographs must be submitted in digital format on
    CD-ROM (taken at 300dpi in a 15cm x 15 cm size), or in traditional
    photographic print or slide format. Printouts of digital images are only
    acceptable if the photographs are also provided in digital format.
    Timekeeper
     
    One per classroom*
    Notary Public
     
    One per school
    Witnesses
     
    Two per school
     
    They must be community leaders who will sign sworn statements. We
    encourage you to use your School Resource Officer as one witness.
    Otherwise, witnesses cannot by employed by the school.
    *
    If students are brought to a central location (cafeteria, auditorium, gym, etc.), this is considered
    their classroom. Doing this will lessen the number of personnel needed.

    If you are unable to provide the above-mentioned specifications, but you are still interested in
    participating, in what areas would you need assistance to make this event possible at your school?
    Please return the form to Holly Radcliffe, Executive Director, Administration and Special Projects,
    Division of K-12 Public Schools, via one of the following methods. She can be reached at (850) 245-
    5030 if you have questions regarding this event.
    By Mail:
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    325 West Gaines Street
    Suite 514
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
    By Fax:
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    (850) 245-5036
    By E-mail:
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    Holly.Radcliffe@fldoe.org

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