Political Quotes

“I rise and am pleased to rise in support of the Reading Excellence Act. While we are all concerned about new Federal programs, the budget agreement set aside $260 million for a new literacy program. What we could have had is another feel-good, unproven, sounds-good program, the kind of program that has failed our children so badly. Mr. Speaker, 44 percent of the U.S. students in elementary school do not read at a basic level. Thirty-two percent of college graduates also have failed to reach this basic level. This may be the most important bill that we pass regarding our children and their success in school, because what it does, finally and most importantly, is focus on the proven ways of teaching children how to read. We know today that the latest scientific research shows that 60 to 70 percent of all children read any way you teach them, but the other children need a very systemic, phonics-based approach to reading if they are ever going to read and be good readers. We furthermore know that science has shown us that children that do not read by the end of third grade will always have a bigger struggle in reaching that basic level. Their opportunity to be good readers is much more difficult if they do not learn to read by the end of third grade. Reading opens doors and failure to read slams those doors shut.”