Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., made a big announcement on Monday -- but it wasn’t the one the political world has been waiting for.
Bush announced back in December that he was exploring running for president in 2016 and formed the Right to Rise PAC to help his efforts to follow in his father’s and brother’s path to the White House. Next Monday, at an event in Miami, Bush is expected to formally launch his presidential bid.
But on this Monday, Bush announced that the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, XPRIZE and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation were taking part in a $7 million challenge to develop mobile applications that increase adult literacy schools. The grand prize winner will receive $4 million for their project. Bush noted he was doing this to help honor his mother’s 90th birthday.
In a Web video released over the weekend, Bush compared the situation for adult literacy to space exploration in the 1960s, noting President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to land American astronauts on the moon.
“This is our moonshot moment for family literacy and, of course, my mother is excited,” Bush said in the video.
“A parent’s literacy level is a significant predictor of their child’s future educational success, influencing generations to follow,” said Barbara Bush on Monday. “As I celebrate my 90th birthday today with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I am inspired and hopeful that this adult literacy XPRIZE will bring about a radical breakthrough to end the cycle of low-literacy in America and that my grandchildren will grow up in a country where education is abundant and accessible to all.”
For his part, the former Florida governor continues to offer hints about his announcement next week.
“In eight days I’m going to make some news," Bush emailed supporters on Sunday, insisting it will be a “big day" in Miami.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
