Special Reading Initiatives
Reading at the basic and secondary education levels is promoted by the nationwide School Libraries Network (Rede de Bibliotecas Escolares) and the National Reading Plan (Plano Nacional de Leitura). The National Reading Plan focuses primarily on schools, starting at preprimary schools and progressing through basic and secondary education schools, but also on individual families.50,51 In addition to providing recommendations for texts that are appropriate for different age groups and reading levels, the plan helps school libraries acquire books and other media formats for reading. With the support of various socio-professional associations (e.g., the Association of Portuguese Language Teachers and the Confederation of the National Parents Associations), town halls, the media, and public libraries, the National Reading Plan also organizes national reading competitions for students enrolled in the basic and secondary education levels.52