Teacher, why can't I read?

This supplements my op-ed essay "Are You Smarter Than A Third Grader" which ran in the Raleigh News & Observer a few weeks ago (see also on Gather). Please note that it is not intended to criticize teachers as such, but public education policies which allow any child who is not severely learning disabled to get as far as the end of third grade and not be able to read proficiently.

But I Forgot To Raise My Hand

Teacher?

Why can't I read?

Why can't you teach me

the things that I need?

Where is this education

supposed to lead?

So far you've only taught me

to bleed-

and the world is full

of sharks.

Comments: 8

Purrrrrrrrrrr~Genki dashite~Nantoka naru-yo! S. Mar 31, 2009, 4:29pm EDT

This definetly has a sting and a bite~and I totally understand. It was the new 'educational policies' demanding we implement ridiculously ineffective curriculums and classify the little ones from age 3 and up for every minute reason, that made me throw my degree in education to the side and leave teaching after 8 years of dealing with the dumbing down of the system. YOU COULD NOT PAY ME ENOUGH TO GO BACK and be a part of the bullsh** interpolotics of education. Yes, I said BULL****!

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Svetlana Goryacheva Mar 31, 2009, 4:36pm EDT

Sad, but true... this problem, dear Chris, becomes more and more rampant in Russia as well. Economic troubles, negligence, but first of all, indifference. Kudos to you for bringing it to the surface!

Blessings and best wishes - S.

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Leo Lemmer Mar 31, 2009, 5:05pm EDT

Students actually do graduate unable to read. I think some have sued.

How about an "attendance" only diploma?

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Chris Brockman Mar 31, 2009, 5:26pm EDT

Just think of the grief we could obviate--not to mention the dollars and productivity we could save--if every child beginning now were given a good education. The really cruel part of it is that we COULD do it, and we know how! We just don't have the foresight to figure out our own best interest. But then ignorance breeds ignorance.

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Angela M. Mar 31, 2009, 11:02pm EDT

This is sad, but very thought provoking.
Thank you for sharing it with us. This something we all need to look at and as a public stand up and do something about as the children of today are the adults of tomorrow.
They should be cherished....
~Point Fairies

MySpace Graphics

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Jennifer Lee Apr 12, 2009, 6:38pm EDT

Ouch! I teach first grade and some of them can't even afford to buy books nor are their Spanish speaking parents able to help at home. Well written poem and so true that it bites.

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Jule's dreamin of a wonderfilled life for all research mode again Apr 16, 2009, 10:45am EDT

Oh such truth in the telling!
My parents had me though a summers worth of IQ tests thinking I was perhaps mentally challenged .They told her defiantly not but gave to information of where to try next.
I was truly Blessed to have the GREAT teacher Mrs.Armer at Stirling Elementary. She also
was a reading specialist. The ist day of classes she gave us all an eye test.That was the problem I couldn't see! By the end of 2nd grade I was reading at a fourth grade level and reading every thing I could get my hands on!

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Jule's dreamin of a wonderfilled life for all research mode again Apr 16, 2009, 10:48am EDT

remedial reading specialist who was teaching the then new thing phonics! remembered the correct word just as I hit the submit button

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Teacher, why can't I read?

Comments: 8

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