[C-J19310]

I’ve often encountered adults who have graduated high school yet cannot read. To teachers: How is it that a person can go through 12 years of schooling, yet not be capable of performing the most basic math or reading skills? I understand many people have genuine learning disabilities, but there are such a large number of people who are functionally illiterate that this can’t be the only explanation. Why aren’t the basics of reading (and math) taught throughout a childs’ school life? With so many hours spent in school, don’t teachers feel this is the major failing of our school sytem? Any child should at least be able to read the newspaper by the time he or she graduates.
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Name : C-J19310, Gender : F, Age : 35, City : Cincinnati, State : OH, Country : United States, 

[S-Locarno]

As a ninth grade English teacher in a rural Vermont high school, I have no students who cannot read. I do, however, have students with reading levels ranging from third grade to post-high school. Yes, my primary concern is that my students read and write fluently, discovering both the power and joy in the written word. With every student, the goal is to help him or her reach a higher level than she or he comes in with. That varies considerably by student. Factors that have the greatest impact include family support and motivation. As with anything in life, practice is the key to proficiency. A student reading at a third grade level in high school who doesn’t read anything voluntarily will probably regress once the mandatory requirements are removed. I relinquish none of my responsibility; I am doing all that I can, as are thousands of educators.

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Name : S-Locarno, Age : 48, City : Hardwick, State : VT, Country : United States, Occupation : High school teacher, 

[Dan]

Teaching religious education for many years, I was always able to spot poor readers as they used their coping skills to fake it. Those of us in religious education have an opportunity to intercede and speak with the parents about getting the student into an after school tutoring program or even using the church to start one. The students who read poorly feel bad and are on the outside looking in. When they must ask for help to read a letter from the school, or take a driver’s license test, they feel like second class citizens. Most of these youth are very smart and just need someone who cares to help ‘break the code’. Reading can be fun for those learning for the first time, youth or adults. Just impress upon them their importance and value to the community. Most of all, avoid embarrassing them. Teach them quietly and privately. Later when their grades go from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s, everyone will benefit.

User Detail :  

Name : Dan, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Christian, Age : 53, City : Browns Mills, State : NJ, Country : United States, Occupation : Letter Carrier, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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