Why cant U teach me 2 read?

I recently finished a book by Beth Fertig, “Why cant U teach me 2 read?” about three students from New York City schools who sue the school district over “educational neglect” (or as its also sometimes called, “compensatory education”).  All three had been in the NYC public school system for the majority of their lives, and yet none of them had learned how to read (one had even graduated from high school!). Their stories also serve as a parallel to Fertig’s dissection of Mayor Bloomberg’s takeover of the school system, and his appointment of Joe Klein to be the Chancellor of NYC Schools in 2002.

            Yamilka, Alejandro, and Antonio all struggled early on in their lives with low comprehension problems – either as a result of their parents not speaking English fluently, or growing up impoverished. All three were regularly transferred between public schools (Yamilka was transferred between NYC schools 12 times). Once a school discovered the depth of the learning problems, most would rather transfer each one out than deal with the problem – because low performers pull down test scores (this is especially important now with No Child Left Behind, though as Fertig uncovers, schools in NYC are not allowed to transfer their students anymore). Because Yamilka, Alejandro, and Antonio each struggle they are also each in turn labeled as mentally disabled – an unfair label for kids who are just struggling to read, or who have minor learning disabilities.

Their stories bring up important questions. How does our public school system account for slow learners, or students with learning disabilities? Similarly, do school districts have an obligation to ensure that every student can read at a functional level?

Obviously, Library Build believes that with the right tools – libraries – combined with great schools, and great teachers, that all students can read. Ultimately there shouldn't be stories and books about kids who have to sue their public school districts in order to get intensive private tutoring to learn how to read.

There's a lot more in Fertig's book about different methods for teaching literacy as well as a long history and discussion about Klein's job as Chancellor of the NYC School District, so if you're interested, check it out!

Here’s a short interview with Beth Fertig about “Why cant U teach me 2 read?”: http://www.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2009-10-15-readbook15_VA_U.htm?csp=outbrain&csp=obnetwork

Here’s a short article on USA Today about one of the boys from the book: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-14-illiteracy_N.htm