Making sure students are college and career ready in reading is the number one focus of this lecture series.

"Many times people want to help their students but they don't know how, so it's very important to try to share knowledge with professors."
Kandy Smith, a doctoral candidate studying literacy at the University of Tennessee is one of five people leading the lecture.
"I'll be helping with strategies and the specifics to support that struggling reader or that an a-literate student who is not interested in reading text."

Pam Petty is the director of WKU's Center for Literacy. She was contacted about receiving the $93,000 grant in early May, and quickly arranged three lectures across the state. "In June we are presenting in Bowling Green, in July we are presenting in Lexington, and in August we're going to Pikeville."

All Kentucky teachers and administrators were notified. "Every single public and private university, community college, technical school, and superintendent in the state have been invited to come to the table with us."

In addition to a $150 stipend and free materials, the number one thing Petty says educators receive are strategies to better prepare students.
"There are things that we can do all along the way that ensure that our students are good literacy learners..that they have a passion for reading."

The literacy lecture is funded by a grant from the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development.

After stops in Lexington and Pikeville, Doctor Petty says the lecture series may be held in Bowling Green again in August.