James Dobson: Teaching literacy should be a priority

Worship

Discussion

September 5, 2010

By James Dobson From King Features Syndicate The Joplin Globe Sun Sep 05, 2010, 05:58 PM CDT

JOPLIN, Mo. — Q. Schools are asked to accomplish many things on behalf of our kids today. They are even expected to teach them how to have sex without spreading disease. What part of the curriculum would you give the greatest priority?

A. Schools that try to do everything may wind up doing very little. That’s why I believe we should give priority to the academic fundamentals -- what used to be called “readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic.’”

Of those three, the most important is basic literacy. An appalling number of students graduating from high school can’t even read the employment page of the newspaper or comprehend an elementary book.

Every one of those young men and women will suffer years of pain and embarrassment because of our failure. That misery starts at a very young age.

Teaching children to read should be job No. 1 for educators. Giving boys and girls that basic skill is the foundation on which other learning is built.

Unfortunately, millions of young people are still functionally illiterate after completing 12 years of schooling and receiving high school diplomas. There is no excuse for this failure.

Research shows that every student, with very few exceptions, can be taught to read if the task is approached creatively and individually. Admittedly, some can’t learn in group settings because their minds wander and they don’t ask questions as readily. They require one-on-one instruction from trained reading specialists.

It is expensive for schools to support these remedial teachers, but no expenditure would be more helpful. Special techniques, teaching machines and behavior-modification techniques can work in individual cases. Whatever is required, we must provide it.

Furthermore, the sooner this help can be given, the better for the emotional and academic well-being of the child. By the fourth or fifth grades, he or she has already suffered the humiliation of reading failure.

Text Only

Worship

85-year-old pastor stepping down after 40 years in ministry
When Harry Givens draws the curtain on four decades as a pastor Sunday, he can rest assured that, with God’s help, he made a difference in people‘s lives.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Superstar T.D. Jakes makes a confession
Now, this legendary preacher -- often listed as one of America’s most powerful evangelicals -- has taken a big step toward convincing critics that he is, in fact, an evangelical. Jakes has, after years of rumors about private assurances, publicly affirmed that he believes in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

February 6, 2012
Craig Tally, columnist: 'Proof texting' the Bible a common practice
Upon entering the home of a friend, I discovered some friendly sparring in process about America’s space program. My friend was in the midst of his “the Bible says so” argument just as I entered the room.

January 30, 2012
Crosslines holding 17th annual Souper Bowl of Caring
Crosslines Churches of the Joplin Area marks its 30th anniversary in March, and more than half of those years have been devoted to the Souper Bowl of Caring.

January 30, 2012 1 Photo
Terry Mattingly: Change happens slowly within church
In the fall of 1979, a cluster of Episcopalians made another trip to Rome seeking a haven for Anglo-Catholic believers anxious to exit their increasingly divided church.

January 23, 2012
Stephen ministers helping people get back on track
The fury of last year’s Joplin tornado may have subsided and the stress of the holidays passed, but demands on the Stephen Ministry are stronger than ever.

January 23, 2012 1 Photo
Craig Tally: End zone not the best place for prayer
Some say that the kneeling/prayer in the end zone is about honoring God and being grateful for one’s talent and opportunity, not about God helping the score. If so, then why do we not see a receiver bow in prayer following a dropped pass? Or, why do we not see a running back point heavenward following a fumble?

January 16, 2012
Forest Park’s Mission Joplin getting big boost from Carthage campus
Since last May, Forest Park Baptist Church has provided relief to tornado victims through Mission Joplin, an outreach that continues to provide help to needy families today and will get an added boost later this year when the church’s remote campus in Carthage relocates to a much larger building.

January 16, 2012 1 Photo
Terry Mattingly: Significant assassinations didn’t make group’s list
In terms of giant headlines and spilled ink, there is no question that the lightning strike by U.S. special forces that killed Osama bin Laden was the year’s most spectacular news event featuring a deadly brew of religion, politics and violence.

January 9, 2012
Banner year: New addition gives boost to country church near Goodman
Deep in the southwest corner of Missouri, about an hour from Joplin, a pastor and his congregation are giving new meaning to country church.

January 9, 2012 1 Photo
More Worship Headlines

Water company cites reconnections

Worship

Search Results

Discussion

James Dobson: Teaching literacy should be a priority

Eliminating the state income tax and increasing sales tax was debated during a press day on Thursday at the Missouri Capitol. Do you favor that proposal?

Eliminating the state income tax and increasing sales tax was debated during a press day on Thursday at the Missouri Capitol. Do you favor that proposal?

Site Map

Contact Us