PARP

Mission Statement

To provide PTA units, libraries, communities and other parent groups with a clear understanding of the PARP Program, including literacy resources, so that all children will have the tools to develop a lifelong love of reading and learning.

History of Pick A Reading Partner – PARP

The Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) program, originally known as Parents As Reading Partners, began in the New York State Senate Education Committee through the efforts of Senator James H. Donovan, with the support of former New York State Governor Hugh Carey and Education Commissioner Gordon Ambach. 

In the summer of 1978, Senator Donovan learned of a fifteen-minute daily reading program, and asked his office staff to research what other states were doing to promote reading. The New York State Planning and Steering Committee decided to incorporate the best features found in other state programs. It was suggested that the local planning committee choose a theme and use national, state or local talent to promote the program. New York State drew on the talents and resources of twenty organizations in developing its own program.

PARP was officially launched through a mass-mailing effort in March, 1979. A conference followed in October with keynote speaker, the late Bob Keeshan, better known to some as television’s Captain Kangaroo.

Since 1987, NYS PTA has sponsored and administered the PARP program. Each year the NYS PTA offers workshops at Summer Leadership Conference and our Annual Convention. These trainings allow educators and adults to enhance communication, share experiences and increase involvement with children and schools. Check with your local unit/council PTA president

What is PARP and Why is it Important?

PARP is an acronym for Pick A Reading Partner. It is a program designed to engage and involve parents, caregivers and other adults in fostering the love of reading in children. Learning to read is the single most important activity in a child’s education. Studies have shown that children who read at home are better prepared to succeed in formal education. 

PARP encourages reading partners to participate in some type of reading experience with their children for at least fifteen minutes a day, thereby instilling strong reading habits, and encourages children to become better readers. The voluntary approach, and the subsequent success that PARP programs have achieved, is proof that it is truly a worthwhile project.  Children turn to the adults in their lives as role models, and are likely to follow the example of a partner who reads. 

PARP stresses that reading can be fun as well as informative. The daily communication shared through PARP will also serve to strengthen the family, and fortifies children’s reading habits. PARP helps cement necessary bonds between the home and the school to foster the education process. Together, this effort will make our children more successful and their education more fruitful.

When implementing the program the title should be “partners” not “people.”

REMEMBER: PARP is an acronym for Pick A Reading Partner and no periods are used in the acronym “PARP”. 

PARP Goals

• Encourages reading at home to supplement school and library reading programs;

• Allows children to discover that reading can be fun as well as informative;

• Fortifies children’s reading habits;

• Strengthens student and family reading habits, while focusing on the enjoyment of reading;

• Develops and improves family relationships and communication;

• Brings parents and children closer together by sharing the pleasurable experience of reading together;

• Provides parents with information to help their children become better readers;

• Improves children’s creativity and wellbeing by limiting television viewing and increasing family closeness; and

• Strengthens the bond between home, school and community.