Reading Education: a Civil Rights Issue
Leaving Johnny Behind is an attempt to unite the reading community so that children can receive the full benefit of the scientific message, as is the case in medicine, engineering and so many other areas. Ignoring such powerful and consistent reading data is akin to doctors treating cancer patients with folk medicine when scientific cures have long been established.
Help Get Books into the Homes of Low Income Families
Leaving Johnny Behind was written as a means to help address the needs of those at greatest risk for reading failure. To further advance that cause, all proceeds from its sale will be donated to Reach Out and Read, a pediatric organization that donates books to low income families and addresses literacy as a regular part of pediatric care.
Teachers as Scapegoats
Teachers, you have worked hard to grow professionally prior to and throughout your career. But you might be surprised to learn what they have omitted from your training. Check out this article at http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/43647802.html
Do We Really Put Children First
I wrote Leaving Johnny Behind mainly because of my frustrations with the conventional wisdom related to reading instruction, especially as it pertained to the needs of poor and minorities, dyslexics, English Language Learners, and those with handicapping conditions.
One of the things I learned during the course of my research was that diagnosticians are rarely able to show any evidence of neurological dysfunction for the vast majority of children they label as LD. In fact, the term Learning Disability did not exist prior to the 1960's and is probably more a function of our teaching methods than it is of a child's ability to learn.
The research reveals a very unifying message, but unfortunately, the obstinacy of a few very influential people prevents it from being heard and practiced to the extent necessary to reach those who need us the most. This results in some very dire consequences for many of our children. That is truly an injustice.
I look forward to joining forces with you to address these issues and doing everything possible to promote early literacy for all children.
One of the things I learned during the course of my research was that diagnosticians are rarely able to show any evidence of neurological dysfunction for the vast majority of children they label as LD. In fact, the term Learning Disability did not exist prior to the 1960's and is probably more a function of our teaching methods than it is of a child's ability to learn.
The research reveals a very unifying message, but unfortunately, the obstinacy of a few very influential people prevents it from being heard and practiced to the extent necessary to reach those who need us the most. This results in some very dire consequences for many of our children. That is truly an injustice.
I look forward to joining forces with you to address these issues and doing everything possible to promote early literacy for all children.
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