When I first noticed this problem, I felt helpless and really overwhelmed – especially as I watched an 8th<\/sup> grader who was struggling to read a primary school book. I wondered how she had gotten by and how our schools could pass along children who cannot read. I questioned if the materials we were using to teach children were the right ones. I asked her mom if she had an IEP and she did not. I was told she simply did not like to read. But I know that liking to read and being able to read are different things. One is a preference and one often determines our futures and the rest of our academic experiences as well as our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeing so many kids all behind where they should have been, I couldn\u2019t sit by and do nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, along with two other volunteers at my church, we started a Tuesday class to help students who were behind in reading. A teacher we knew offered us a suggested class and book. The book is based on the Science of Reading. And while I did not know that at the time, I can say that it is helping. I can also say that what we are currently doing in our public schools is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since all of this began, I have learned that only 37% of children in Indiana are reading on grade level. But the statistic is sadly no longer as shocking. It is, however, still extremely unacceptable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a state, we must do better for our children. I believe that HB 1558 does just that. It helps ensure schools have the right curriculum, based in science. It makes sure our teachers and schools are supported in this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am not an expert on this bill, but I can say that our kids need to learn to read. Reading will determine their futures and ours as a state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope House Bill 1558 passes. Through my work, I can help 10-12 children at a time. This bill has the possibility to help thousands of Indiana students.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I support House Bill 1558. Because I am a reader and my children are readers and even my grandchildren are readers. I did not initially think Indiana was facing a literacy crisis. But then I began to volunteer with my church. And in asking elementary through middle school students in my Sunday school class to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","color_schema":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-of-reading"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stand.org\/indiana\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/03\/Natalie1-1024x682.jpg\")