HeadsUp! Reading is the largest early childhood “classroom” in the world currently in place to improve literacy outcomes for children and transform teaching practices in early childhood settings to reflect current research.  This innovative 44-hour college course harnesses “live” satellite television and the Internet to deliver the highest quality professional development to early educators and childcare providers, who teach and care for children birth through five. 

The Florida HeadsUp! Reading Initiative is a public/private partnership in support of Florida’s School Readiness goals and professional development needs of their early childhood educators. 

Pathways to Literacy is an integral component of Florida’s commitment to moving toward an integrated, seamless and high-quality readiness system for Florida’s children.

HeadsUp! Reading is funded by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness, the  Florida State Even Start Family Literacy Program, the Florida Head Start Collaboration Office, the Florida Children’s Forum, the Florida Head Start Association and a $150,000 challenge grant from the Park Foundation. 

Funding will support Florida’s 57 local School Readiness Coalitions to provide facilitator training, hosting packages, materials and technical assistance to secure state college level credit. 

HeadsUp! Reading will utilize Florida’s existing Telestar satellite television training systems (The Florida Knowledge Network) to add to Florida’s 43 existing HeadsUp! Reading satellite locations.