LETTERS: AMERICA READS IS GOOD FOR LITERACY

To the editor:

At a very early age my twin sister's interest was focused on the art of learning to read. After mastering it as a child, she read everything available within her ability.

In the early years, books came in series. The Elsie Dinsmore series (now out of print) was favored and popular among young people. My sister read the entire series, keeping the memory of them dear to her in her adulthood.

Today, the America Reads program introduced by President Clinton to promote literacy is indeed a fine act which aims to ensure every student reads well and independently by the end of the third grade. What a great help that proves to be in promoting literacy.

Research has it that children who cannot read well by the end of the third grade are among those who are apt to be dropouts.

Students working in the education fields will certainly be able to promote literacy.

America Reads encourages an open field for instructors in promoting new ideas.

The enrichment model in getting students to read on computers proves a big step forward. Children become encouraged and, as a result, bring books to the teacher to read.

Under the America Reads program, children have more options which are proving a tremendous increase in their interest and learning. This is certainly the greatest help yet in promoting literacy.

It is the sincere wish that the America Reads program will not only inspire and benefit our students, but our teachers and parents as well.

In my early years, I taught in the elementary grades and found children's books to be beautifully illustrated and stimulating. The memory of that has never faded but will remain with me always.

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau