[Durham INC] The Reading Bill

[Richard Ford]

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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