Don't look in his school for the answers. Look instead in Johnny's home.
Unless Johnny's problem is medically based, the reason for his illiteracy is the total or near absence of household books, magazines and newspapers.
Oh yes, there are television sets, radios, CD and tape players in Johnny's home--but few, if any, recreational or reference reading materials.
Chances are Johnny encountered his first written or printed words in kindergarten. And throughout his primary, elementary and secondary years, Johnny's only exposure to literature will be in school.
Johnny's contemporaries--the children who can read and write without difficulties--had parents who read to themselves and their children.
Don't blame educators. Johnny can't read because his parents won't. (19 MARCH 2000).
