from Dateline (January 30, 2003)

Fathers Are Hitting the Books
by Susan Katsaros

Dads took to the classroom last fall on behalf of their children.

Project DADS, which stands for dads and developmental specialists, is a program involving fathers in their children’s reading and writing development.

Robert Ortiz, associate professor of special education, developed the program that incorporates reading books, writing, school/home interaction, technology and storytelling.

“This program is important because children’s education is no longer just dropped on mom’s lap. Having dads involved doubles the learning opportunity for children,” said Ortiz. “It gets dads to roll up their sleeves” and become partners in the educational process.

Ortiz introduced Project DADS to California three years ago after developing the program at New Mexico State University. He has been working with Laurel Elementary School in Brea and giving workshops throughout Orange County.

This year he will make presentations in Illinois and in central California – engagements that came about because of articles he has written on the project and a buzz that has been created. “This is my dream,” said Ortiz.

Recently, Laurel Elementary School held a Doughnuts for Dads program where Ortiz discussed the program’s goals and objectives and encouraged fathers to sign up and attend training sessions.

“When I started my training sessions and mentioned how important it is for fathers to be involved, the almost immediate response I got was: are you a father?” said Ortiz.

As a father of three, he said, “I better have the right answer.”