Invest in reading

Imagine a test with this arithmetic problem: John has a dozen apples. On the way to school he eats one of the apples. After lunch he eats another apple and gives an apple to his friend, Bob. On the way home from school, John drops the sack of apples, and two more apples are lost. How many apples does John have when he gets home?

This is not a trick question. It's a simple math problem that many elementary students could solve by the time they were finished reading the problem.

Reading the problem.

That's the key. Some students with good math skills can't do their homework assignments if they can't read.

Reading is the essential building block for a good education. Students who have difficulty reading are destined to struggle with all their classes. School systems recognize how important reading is for students, and they are developing innovative ways to make reading a priority for youngsters.

Recently, Jack Gantos, the author of award-winning children's books, spoke to students in Jackson and Cape Girardeau as part of the ongoing effort to encourage a love of reading.

There are reading programs for older students and adults as well. Other programs teach the reading and speaking of English to youngsters and adults from other countries.

All of these efforts strengthen not just our school systems, but our communities as well. Helping those who have problems with reading is an investment in their future success.

By the way, John had seven apples when he got home.