should a child have to pass reading to advance in school?

[Guest]

My father is exactly correct. School systems have been dumbed down completely, just to keep Federal money coming in. In 6th grade I even had a teacher who couldn't even spell "tobacco," and she was my READING teacher!!! Does anyone else see anything wrong with that? I can't stand it that I will have a hard time learning what my father could at my age. So, to all of those who made this possible: "Damn yous! Damn yous all ta hell!!!"-Jay said this in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

[OtherHD]

C'mon you guys...reading is sooooo overrated.

[pojo]

Thanks JCT.

All I was trying to do was to make a point that reading is the main tool for advancing in the world today. Whether the news screams on the prompter screens or on newsprint; you would not have your daily dose of local or national news. If your deaf, the only way to get your news is to READ the closed captions running along the bottom of your television screen. Each person in the US reads an object every 2 seconds! Yes, I mean that...look around you. Everywhere you look, there are signs that you need to 'read' to understand. The words on your computer screen, a calendar, ingredients for making something special for a loved one, a street sign, etc. Everything in this world is based off of reading...EVERYTHING.

[ColdFront77]

Sure reading is very important... I read from time to time; but can honestly say (and I am sure others here can too) I don't enjoy reading stories. Why read something you aren't interested in and that you can't understand.

Generally I know how to read, if I didn't I wouldn't be as intelligent as I am. Reading words isn't that difficult. If none of us here knew how to read, we wouldn't be able to put words together to make sentences.

[WidreMann]

we wouldn't be able to put words together to make sentences.

You learn to do that when you learn to speak the language. Admittedly, reading helps you learn more complicated constructions than you will hear in speech, but it isn't necessary to be able to speak or even write for that matter.

[pojo]

Sure reading is very important... I read from time to time; but can honestly say (and I am sure others here can too) I don't enjoy reading stories. Why read something you aren't interested in and that you can't understand.

Thank You...that is and was my problem while I was growing up. That is why I fought with my 8th and 10th grade (same teacher) English teacher on a daily basis. I hated the books that we had to read just because the curriculum said so.

If I don't like a story, I will not read it...end of story. (my stubborn side comes out in situations like that)

[pojo]

Let me point out...some people are visual and others are mental. The visual people learn by seeing and doing, while the mental people learn with manuals.

[streetsoldier]

And what say you, Shannon, of those such as Coppertop and myself, who have the ability to do both with equal facility?

Is he, at 15, doomed to share the same "stranger in a strange land" burden I suffered through, and eventually prevailed over? I fear that he will...he is far and away heads above his chronological peers, and in his "realm" (acting/directing/screenwriting) there is NO place for him here.

I feel no joy in encouraging him to seek out his trade in New York, but it is the only city capable of accomodating and nurturing his strengths. At least, he will enjoy the care and company of my sister and his cousins in NJ, who are also gifted in the same manner!

[Lindaloo]

It is not just ABOUT reading. It is about comprehending what you read. That is why you failed the quizzes Shannon. You have to be able to do this too in order to advance in this world.

otherHD... I beg to differ.. reading is not overrated.

[pojo]

My comprehension is not the greatest...that's why I struggled. My mom knew that, but my teacher didn't want to believe that. She believed that all students read and comprehended at their appropriate grade level. I was mad because I couldn't (or wouldn't comprehend) the story. Like I said in an earlier post...if the book is boring, I will not read. That's just how I am. To make matters worse, I am NOT a library person...I don't even like going into a library, let alone picking up a book. I do what I can to survive in the college world. I'm glad I'm in my major...its something that I like. Thankfully, I don't have to read and comprehend books and stories that I could care less about. Yes, I'll read, but I'm such a visual person that I need to see it to believe it.

[rainstorm]

Then, please tell me why, in 5th grade, I was assigned to contrast Plato's Republic and Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince, and deliver a desultory paper thereafter?

Perhaps the standards under which I was educated would be considered artificially stiff today, yet...this is exactly the same standard that Hillsdale Academy expects of its students (K-12); and their students benefit greatly by said experience, as I once did through my own.

young minds should be challenged, not dumbed down.

[CajunMama]

Shannon, what are you going to do when you enter the work world and your superior, boss, company wants you to read some boring book or manual? Not read it because you don't want to? We all have to do things we don't want to but you're a better person if you can do it.

My daughters school requires them to do "summer reading". In English they have a choice of books, Psycology and American History they have a required book. And you know what? My daughter will read them all. She may not want to but she will because she knows she is learning something new even if it's boring.

Now back to those goofy educators that this post is originally about - ARE THEY OFF THEIR ROCKERS?
If you can't read, how can you pass the other subjects? Don't they have textbooks that the children use for them and they have to be able to read those books to understand what is going on.

[pojo]

I know I opened up a can of worms with my comments...which, I should have watched what I typed. This is a touchy subject, not only with myself, but my parents and superiors. If I dislike a subject, I tend to state my case, in a manner that could cause me to get into trouble.

Kathy, I read what I need to. Does that mean I'm reading an interesting book...not necessarily.

[ColdFront77]

This is a great discussion, Shannon. No one should have a problem with it. We are here to discuss a variety of issues.

You're welcome. I can relate to your situation.

[streetsoldier]

To be fair, I should have prefaced my pronouncements with personal experience...and although this might seem "bragging", it is the truth.

I was reading at 18 months; when I entered first grade, the nuns were aghast when I walked over to those "restricted" to 8th grade children and took out my first book; The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. The principal and Mother Superior, fortunately, was already aware of my abilities and permitted this, with the provision that I present an oral report summarizing the book, which I did.

Subsequent testing in 6th grade showed that I was capable of post-graduate college-level work; yet, "gifted" classes were still a dream of the future. So, I was forced to struggle along with kids whose only similarity to me was chronological, and in all honesty I didn't find any "soulmates" until I entered college, at the age of 26...and these were usually faculty members.

Sorry if I confused anyone...

[Lindaloo]

Shannon I did not get the same message from your post as CajunMama did. However, I understand what you mean about reading a book you enjoy. If that is what is good for you and you are understanding a book you enjoy then so be it. Do not ever apologize for your opinions.

You may have trouble with written comprehension tests. I bet you would be great at oral comprehension tests. My daughter has trouble with oral tests but can take written tests well.

I understand your struggles, but never give up. You will be just fine.

[pojo]

Each person learns differently. I'm one that learns better with oral and/or visual situations. Whether it be in the field of science or on a book whose author turns out to be Shakespeare, written tests serve a purpose just to 'track' the improvement in a particular subject. Its just IMO.

[azskyman]

I took the time to read these spirited posts. Congratulations on the healthy exchange.

I am not a good reader. I have a hard time finishing a book...even one I enjoy. It has always been that way for me. The last time I started and finished a whole book in less than a week was when I was on the plane from Vietnam to Seattle! What else could I do?

This is strange, in a way, because I love writing. I taught school for ten years. I have published works in some national magazines. I was an editor for fourteen years. I have been in the newspaper business since I quit teaching. I even have my name on the front cover of a book from Wiley Press, The Weather Companion, by Gary Lockhart. I wrote the Foreword for him.

I am convinced that we can not and must not diminish the importance of training, coaching, nurturing, and growing the skills required TO read for every child in sight. It is a ticket toward fulfillment in life.

Using whatever effort we must...it is our responsiblity to give them those skills and arm them with opportunity.

We then need to encourage the SUBSTANCE of reading...letting them know that they have been given a tool ...and that there is now a wealth of knowledge available to them that can take them a zillion places in their lives. What a magnificent door that opens!

As we then consider the many ways that God chooses to use each of us, we must also recognize that the interests and talents and gifts he bestows on each of us....on ALL of us...are different. We should marvel in the diversity...his quilt of all personalities. When we do that, we will come to understand that not all need to have a thirst for reading.

It would be a bad decision to let teachers and school districts off the hook of their responsibility to provide the tools TO read to our kids.

Going through life with one arm tied behind your back is not the way you inspire problem solvers and artists and builders and doctors and .....

[streetsoldier]

Nicely said, Steve! The way I put this to Coppertop is..."Every little 'insignificant' piece of information you acquire is that much more 'ammunition' to use at some time when you may have need of it. Remember, NOTHING is 'trivial'."

[pojo]

Good Analysis Steve and Bill.