A special initiative hosted by the Decatur ISD Education Foundation (DEF) is championing childhood literacy across the school district.
Named Betty's Books, the program is a dedicated literacy campaign created and managed by DEF to encourage early childhood reading for students in the Decatur Independent School District (ISD). Twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring, all DISD PreK students are gifted a free book during the school's book fair that they can take home. The books are paid for by DEF, allowing the foundation to nurture a love for reading and early childhood education.
The Legacy of Betty Carson
The program serves as a lasting tribute to Betty Carson, a beloved, longtime schoolteacher in Decatur ISD. Mrs. Carson was deeply passionate about ensuring every child had the foundation of literacy, and she and her husband were the namesakes for Carson Elementary. Betty and her husband JE were founding donors of the Decatur ISD Education Foundation and in 2018 the organization awarded them the "Friends of the Foundation" award for their contributions. Following Betty's passing, the Carson family directed memorials to the Decatur Education Foundation, establishing the fund that powers this vital initiative.
Program Impact
The core mission of Betty's Books is to expand home libraries for the district's youngest learners at Carson, Rann, and Young elementary schools, reinforcing the critical link between access to reading material and academic success.
Research shows that academic achievement is directly tied to the amount of print in the home. Each semester the program will cost approximately $1,00-$1,500, meaning that even small donations to the fund can have a big impact.
Through generous donations, the program ensures that every Pre-Kindergarten student in Decatur ISD receives an age-appropriate book of their choice during the school's annual book fairs. This tradition occurs twice a year—in the fall and the spring semester—allowing the Pre-K students to select a new book to take home and own, entirely free of charge.
By placing books directly into the hands and homes of their youngest students, the Decatur Education Foundation honors Betty Carson’s memory and invests directly in a strong, community-wide foundation for literacy.