LETTERS: READING SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MORE LEARNING

To the editor:

One of the most important needs of our children is being threatened in the Missouri Legislature. Two years ago the legislature passed a law mandating that public schools teach our children to read by the third grade or the students could not be passed on to the next grade. Now there are bills (House Bill 50 and Senate Bill 239) that would undo this important legislation.

The Missouri State Teachers Association, Missouri National Education Association, superintendents and other educrats are afraid for the people to be aware of public schools' failure to teach our children the most fundamental need for future learning. Many legislators appear ready to cave in.

The problem of our schools' failure to teach so many children to read is not the fault of the classroom teacher. The problem is the failed experimentation and social engineering by Washington and Jefferson City bureaucrats, parents who don't take an interest in their children's education and the lack of courage by many administrative educators to speak up when garbage comes down the pike.

Requiring schools to teach children to read by the third grade within one grade level is good public policy. I encourage parents and educators to work together to ensure that all children can read. It is time we demand the line drawn in the sand be erased. Our children's futures are at stake.

RAY ROWLAND

Dexter, Mo.