Each And Every Non-Reader

Ever asked yourself what happens to non-readers after they drop out or forced out with a sham diploma.  I am not just referring to massive throngs of non-readers that occupy the preamble of speeches critical of education, but  real individuals who face lifetime banishment from the good life.

What is their day like?  How do they make a living? Do they get married?  Perhaps, end up in prison?
Where do they live?  What about the expense of food, clothing and transportation?
Possibly, we will never know the answer to these questions.  Nevertheless, it is imperative that we ask.  Not only their future but our future depends on what we know and don't know.  Positive change cannot tolerate stupidity.

We hear alot of abstract chatter about why Johnney can't read. The reality is that there are thousands of individuals adrift that cannot answer the basics of who, what where and when because they can't read. Well, maby not completely lost, but definitely preoccupied with survival one day at a time.  Reading for these people is a distant third on a scale of one to three.  Let's just say bluntly that if you are not interested in learning to read our conversation has ended.  Now, see the real meaning of alienation unfold before your weary eyes.

Perhaps, it is possible to recognize a non-reader.  What might distinguish a non-reader from the rest us?
Sometimes, they observe and listen attentively.  They will tell you that they learn better without reading.  Given a book, they flip pages, look at the last page and abruptly close the book.  Obviously, they engage only projects that are easily observed and preferably supported by a peer that offers insightful commentary.

Unfortunately, in todays world more and more intricate devices are enclosed and cannot be viewed.  Talk support isn't much help since there is nothing to see.  Fewer and fewer jobs allow strategies used by non-readers.  More and more signs pop-up that imply non-readers need not apply. 

The challenge to non-reader gets worse, never better.  Success in life fades rapidly.  Difficulty eating, sleeping and negative feeling about self equals dispair.  One rainy day becomes a torrent and dark clouds descend down to earth squarly on non-readers.  Even sunlight pierces the eyes like swords intent on destruction. Whoever said a sunny day inspires hope?  For some of us a sunny day just makes our problems easier to see and harder to bare.

Consider this sad but true scenario:  It's not just adults that find themselves in an impossible delemma.  Imagine a six year old who cannot read  that beloved primer Dick and Jane.  Teachers fret, mothers sigh, fathers holler, and cuss and call you names.  How about stupid, dumbell just for starters.  Then, the unforgettable declaration.  "You will dig ditches for the rest of your life.  Of course, all this is done with good intentions.  Now, lets top it off with a drug or two.  Surely, a good drug will take the edge off the terror a six year old non-reader feels.  All too often, a trusted family doctor muses, "Oh, my goodness you are having some kind of negative reaction".  If only doctors bothererd to read and paid attention to search that cleary warns some drugs are not approvd for little kids.  Would you believe off label prescriptions are often prescribed for children by readers that behave as non-readers.  Then again reading is not everything, right?

I guess at times everyone relies on observation and commentary to learn.  Funny thing, two or more heads some readers and some non-reader often collide with a deafening screech. Both seem awash in a fog or meteor storm.  Communication stops and relationships dissolve. Easy to exercise charity donations, big government and status quo driven school boards minic the fabled phoenix and finally do nothing.

Same Old, Same Old...

Latest nationwide reading scores show 30% more or less students reading below proficient level.  Understandbly, some folks needing a fallback position are actually relieved when students score "approaching basic" and are often observed expressing sighs of relief..whispering, "it could have been worse".  Remarkbly, going backwards somehow looks good even at a time of disaster. It looks to me like some kind of marshmellow road.  It is soft, bouncy, feels good and provides a safe place to bury your head.

Let me begin my comments:

Definition and Limitations:  A good reading program, strategy or technique successfully teaches a student how to read.
Ok, do what works and discard what doesn't work.  No pass ever on this one.
Any kind of intimidation or violence from anyone is not allowed.

Why do the  same reading problems keep returning test after test? 
Because educators continue to incorrectly identify causation and or implement flawed solutions

Why do obviously smart people miss pinpointing causation?
Because use of very complex analytic tools may in fact call attention away from the obvious.  More often than not, the problem requires little elloboration and is simple rather than complex. 

What might the obvious look like?
To begin with, dysfunction familes tend to produce dysfunctional kids.

How do dysfunctional children behave in traditional classroom settings?
Primarily, just plain survival need overshadows all other occupations including learning to read.  Try to give students hope.  If you cannot do it find someone that can. 

What would short term solutions look like?
Today, every failing student must be accompanied by an adult significant other during reading instruction.  This strategy will lessen discipline problems.  Please don't whine that it can't be done.  Just do it.
Forget making grade level lessons more motivating and use primarily remediation methods.  Simply, start where they are today...
Teachers must have have multiple techniques and resources at their finger tips and be prepared to use them...let student try them on and observe what works best for him/her.
Remember Vygotsky, find the zone and stay in the zone.
Yes, provided students are attentive, good old repetition works.  Practice till you are blue in the face!
Every child must attend class, no excuses.
And, individualize,  individualize...basically, stop buying more paperclips and hire more help.

What whould long term solutions look?
Require (no excuses) all parents or significant other participant in school activities.  They don't have to  be smart just interested.
Every local church must adopt a family or familes, and promote reading.
At least eighty five percent of money allocated to improve reading scores must be spent on actual reading instructions services not administration.  Forget long term investments and spend the money now.
Divide responsibility for student reading progress. Althought the classroom teacher fills a lead role, administrators, parents and curriculum specialist and must share student success and failure.
Stop the shootings.  Assign two policemen during critical hours before during and after school on every street corner.
Expect failure and have a clear plan to get back onto the success path.  Remember, baby steps are OK.

Readers are encouraged to add his/her ideas...I have just scratched the surface!
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