LETTERS: CHANGES NEEDED IN LAW INVOLVING CLASS PROMOTION

To the editor:

As we go to the polls next Tuesday, I would like all parents of school-age children to keep one thing in mind: Missouri House Bill 889, the Read to be Ready Program. This is a long bill with one sentence inserted into Section 5, Section B, that can have an adverse effect on many of our children. It simply states "that no public school shall promote a student unless the student is reading at grade level or one year grade level below grade level." This means your child may be making good grades, but if he is reading one year below grade level, he must not be promoted. Our local school districts have no control in this matter, even when they feel the child should not be held back.

In case your thinking this does not apply to you, let me add some interesting facts from the National Association of School Psychologists. "Research has shown retention rarely results in a student catching up. Most children do not catch up when they are retained, and in fact are more likely to fall further behind. Some children show initial gains, but long-term studies show these gains wash out in two to three years. Promoted peers with similar skills fare at least as well academically and often do better."

Missouri House members said they would revise this section of HB 889. They have not done it. I feel we have waited long enough. Send them a message. Give local control back to our schools and parents. Regardless of social standing, whether it is your child or mine, we all pay for this mistake.

CHRIS HOFFMEISTER

Dexter, Mo.