Now I Can Read

Released on = July 7, 2005, 12:16 pm

Press Release Author = Academic Associates, Michal Ricca, Reading Specialist

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = To Whom it May Concern-
I am a teacher who started in the inner-city 6 years ago, and was featured in the Tribune. A couple of years ago to teach in the suburbs. I have been teaching in Wilmette for the past two years, and am now leaving Wilmette to go back and teach at
St. Malachy in the inner-city. I needed to leave Malachy to learn some effective practices, and am now ready to go back and share! I went to a training a few weeks ago for a reading program called Academic Associates. http://www.academic-associates.com/ It has opened my eyes and changed my ways of teaching reading more than any other
program out there. I've basically learned that illiteracy is a problem from our inner-cities to the suburbs, and this program is really helping. Just some quick background for you...America's schools are among the finest in the world. Our teachers are top-notch. But
our literacy rate is the lowest of any industrialized nation. Reading, the key skill on which so much of life depends, is the weak link in American education.

The world is fiercely competitive. Average isn't good enough anymore. Those who would succeed must truly excel.

The old adage that English is not phonetic isn't true. It was designed phonetically; letters stand for sounds. Reading is easy when you sound words out. Most words are completely phonetic, but few people know the rules that tell when letters make each
sound.

The brain is similar to a computer; it processes reading (text), and pictures (graphics), in different areas. Most reading programs try to teach reading to the graphics part of the brain, which causes confusion and a lack of comprehension.

After 6 years as a teacher, I know that people who can't read suffer in life. They have trouble in school, at work, and at home.

The problem of illiteracy is not unique to our inner-cities, every area of the country is affected. Overburdened school systems need all the support they can get.

It’s hard to believe, but several years ago a study found that more than half of all adult Americans couldn’t read basic sixth-grade reading material. They couldn’t read even simple things like street signs or directions on a medicine bottle. We’ve made
progress since then, but illiteracy in America is still worse than in many third-world nations. It seems inconceivable that primitive third-world countries
would score higher on basic literacy tests than the most powerful and developed nation on earth.

Why this program is NOT considered tutoring, even though it is most effective 1:1: Tutoring consists of reinforcing skills that have already been learned. Nearly any teacher can tutor students, but teaching involves instruction in new skills. Tutoring in reading often fails because previous instruction methods haven’t taught the basic skills, thus reinforcement of nonexistent skills is not possible. The Academic Associates method teaches all the skills students need so they actually learn how to read.

Some people love to read. For them, reading is an exciting, fun-filled activity. But we all try to avoid unpleasant experiences, and reading is very unpleasant for those who can’t read well. Some children can’t read well even after years of trying. No matter how hard they try, they just can’t do it. So they avoid it whenever they can. Basically, I got sick of having those 2-3 students leave my classroom still not reading on level and wanted to do something about it. I know many teachers will connect with this, as will parents, and friends of those who cannot read. I am writing to you so that we can reach out and grab as many people as possible. Thanks again!
Gratefully,
Michal

Web Site = http://sites.macinstein.com/nowicanread/

Contact Details = Michal G. Ricca, MEd.
1511 N. Paulina
Chicago, IL 60622
773-486-1627
nowicanread@hotmail.com