GA First Lady Visits Schools, Center

Sandra Deal and State School Superintendent John Barge saw a local GED program and read to students at several schools.

Her Read Across Georgia initiative brought Georgia's First Lady Sandra Deal to Cartersville and Bartow County on Thursday for visits to local schools and an education center.

The campaign supports Gov. Nathan Deal's goal of increasing the number of third-graders in the state reading at grade level.

"Nathan and I both feel like reading is key for the advancement of young people and Publish Postthat's what we feel we have to encourage," the governor's wife told The Daily Tribune News.

Sandra Deal, along with state schools Superintendent John Barge, are visiting schools across the state to read to students. Her goal is to visit all 180 school districts in the state over the next three years.

The governor announced in his State of the State address in January that reading will be a focus of his administration.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CARTERSVILLE PATCH