From: George Weinbaum [e-mail him]

It never ends. This article printed is 233 column inches on three pages.

For Houston teen, learning to read has been a years-long struggle

By Ericka Mellon, Houston Chronicle, July 26, 2014

It notes

"Despite the city's booming economy and can-do spirit, four of every 10 students lack basic reading skills, and an estimated six in 10 are off track to succeed in college. ... The nation's seventh-largest school system has invested tens of millions of dollars in recent years on reading initiatives but has seen little or no progress in performance. ... As Grier tries again to spur improvement—unveiling the district's third literacy plan in six years. .. 'The big problem is, they do not know how to think,' Simmons said. 'You can't really read and write until you know how to think.'".

Hmm. Could the problem be: Houston Independent School District’s students are 61% Hispanic and 28% Black? Hmm. Will we need say ten more literacy plans over the next 20 years before Houstonians realize it ain't getting better?

See previous letters from: George Weinbaum.