News

School of Education Recognized for Literacy Work

06/20/17

Whitfield County was recently recognized as a 2016 Pacesetter by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and there to receive the award were representatives from Dalton State College’s School of Education for the school’s work in promoting literacy in the community.

Pictured from left are Ron Fairchild, director of the GLR Support Center; Dr. Sharon Hixon, dean of the School of Education; Suzanne Harbin, of Whitfield County’s Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning/Early Education Empowerment Zone; and Ralph Smith, managing director for GLR.

Faculty and students in the School of Education oversee several programs in Whitfield County designed to promote literacy and parent involvement including Learning Academies and Power Lunches. Learning Academies take place at elementary schools and provide language-rich activities for families so children enter school ready to succeed and families focus on talking with their children. The lunches take place during the summer free lunch program. Children engage in activities designed to promote language and literacy.

Pacesetters are recognized for leading by example in solving challenges communities face when it comes to literacy. Whitfield County was one of only 48 communities recognized as a Pacesetter nationwide.