LeVar Burton launches Reading Rainbow 'Skybrary' in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The 2016 National Title I Conference continues this weekend in Houston, and yesterday LeVar Burton was on hand to deliver the keynote address and announce the official launch of Reading Rainbow Skybrary School, an edition of Reading Rainbow's new digital platform designed especially for educators.

In front of an announced crowd of more than 3,700 teachers and principals from across the country, LeVar Burton spoke with verve about his passion for literacy education while touching upon moments in his career and upbringing to illustrate the importance of not only learning but loving to read.

"If you cannot read at grade-level by the time you're in the fourth grade, there's a 50% chance that you will not finish high school," Burton said. "With Reading Rainbow and now Skybrary School, we want to be a part of the solution."

That solution includes over 800 digital books and 200 virtual field trips in an online ecosystem that emphasizes ease of use for educators and accessibility for students and their parents.

In keeping with Reading Rainbow's Kickstarter promise to donate this service to 10,000 classrooms across America, Burton announced that every Title I Conference attendee would receive a free, yearlong subscription to the Skybrary School classroom plan.