Knox County Tennesee

Prior to being elected County Mayor, Mike Ragsdale spent every Tuesday morning of the 2001-2002 school year reading with 1st graders of a local elementary school. Concentrating on keeping all students in the class reading at the appropriate level, Mr. Ragsdale's goal was achieved. Advocating support of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act-Reading First Program, Mayor Ragsdale made it a top priority of his administration to provide a program for recruitment and placement of volunteers in 1st grade classrooms in the county.

Mayor Ragsdale's Read with Me program allows the Knox County community to participate in improving its children's success by building a firm reading background. This program is a partnership of schools, businesses, parents, and volunteers working together to improve and enhance the reading skills of children.

The pilot program was introduced in the 2002-2003 school year that placed 95 volunteers in 18 schools throughout Knox County. It was an immense success and had a positive impact on all involved with the program.

The program was subsequently implemented into all 1st and 2nd grade classrooms in Knox County in the Fall 2004.