[Durham INC] The Reading Bill
Richard Ford
rbford at aim.com
Tue Jun 12 11:11:55 EDT 2012
Given our recent postings on literacy, I thought you would be interested in the following email from Bootstraps.
Also please note the second email which is a clarification.
Dick
Begin forwarded message:
>
> Subject: The Reading Bill
>
> http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/06/10/2125946/reading-bill-modeled-after-fl
> orida.html
>
> Yesterday's News and Observer had this article on the front page. We are
> thrilled that the literacy problem in our state is part of the conversation
> among elected officials. Many of you receiving this email are experts in
> the field of literacy. It would be wonderful to see letters to the editor
> or op-ed pieces written with your reaction to this bill. Even if you are
> not an expert please write to the N&O at www.newsobserver.com and click on
> "opinion" to submit a letter with your thoughts.
>
> This is a very important piece of legislation and it would benefit all of
> these struggling readers to have many letters written on their behalf.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Mary Carey
> www.bootstrapspac.org
> 919-522-9610
Begin forwarded message:
>
> Subject: clarification
>
> Hello All-
>
> When I wrote earlier regarding the current bill on reading I said this was “an important bill.” I did not mean “important good” or “important bad.” It is important because it will have a big impact on the kids that we are representing.
>
> I hoped to encourage anyone who might have strong feelings about the bill to write to the newspaper or their representatives. This bill merits a great deal of discussion. Please let your voice be heard!
>
> I have numerous concerns about this bill. My most immediate concern is that there wasn’t a paragraph indicating that recognized experts in reading instruction were consulted when drafting this bill. If a bill needed to be passed on organ transplant procedures, doctors would be called in to advise—wouldn’t they?
>
> Many of these kids failing the 3rd grade reading test have been struggling since kindergarten and have probably already repeated a grade. When we were faced with this decision I was told by a friend who works in the mental health field that for a child, the stress caused by flunking a grade is equivalent to that of the death of a parent. We need to really understand what is best for the child and not think a quick fix like repeating a grade will be a magic wand.
>
> There are many elements to being a successful reader. Let’s call on our elected leaders to really investigate this problem and draw on research to develop the very best solution for these kids.
>
> Thanks for fighting for all of the struggling readers!
>
> Mary Carey
> www.bootstrapspac.org
> 919-522-9610
>
>
>
>
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