READING SKILLS ARE FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION

Reading benefits from this same level of adult-child interaction. Despite all the advances made by the United States, our nation's literacy levels need improvement.

About 40 percent of American children and one-third of Missouri children can't read or don't read well. These numbers are simply unacceptable.

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills on which all other learning is based.

U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond was in a Cape Girardeau classroom last week to promote the new America Reads initiative. The five-year national program will train volunteers -- such as education students at Southeast Missouri State University -- as reading tutors for preschool and elementary-aged children. The local program is based at three schools and nine daycare centers.

Bond has been a longtime supporter of reading programs including Parents and Teachers. The Senate recently approved a bill that would double the funding in next year's Parents as Teachers program. This program targets parents of children birth to age three.

Bond's continued leadership on the importance of reading provides an admirable role model for parents and legislators alike.