I read to my daughter before she was born. As an infant we looked at picture books and started with those with only a couple of words per page. I read every night until she was learning to read then, we read together. By the time she was in 4th grade or so, she wsa able to enjoy reading on her own. In 7th grade her teachers were surprised that she could read and comprehend on a college level. I was and still am a single mom. I sometimes worked as many as three jobs at one time to make ends meet. It can be done.

It's all the school's fault, they are trying to get them to read English and not the language they speak - spanish, hehe

Mind altering drugs is simply a theory. Not against anyone that used them. Almost everyone I've ever known has tried them. I never used LSD; but I've smoked mushrooms and peyote buttons, and eaten peyote buttons. The shrooms had no effect on me; can't remember what the buttons did for me. revolverone; good points. It also made me wonder what the racial make up of these stats are. I know a single father raising a son by himself. Mommy chose suicide by prescription drugs a few years back. The boy is a whiz at video games, but his grades are terrible. I know another couple raising a young boy also. Again, he's a whiz at video games, but his grades are not up to par. Both are white by the way; so before anyone gets their drawers in a wad about me wanting to know the racial makeup of the stats; don't get excited. Just curious.

Note they use "Central Arkansas", but later refer to "Little Rock School District". Well of course I'm sure they don't take into account the statistics for private schools in Little Rock and public schools in the surrounding counties like Faulkner and Saline. I would like to see that statistic in comparison. I'm sure it is much much higher. Another shining example of the fine Little Rock Schools.

The teachers can't teach it all. Parents have to read to their kids and the kids have to take it upon themselve's to read outside of school as well. Practice makes perfect and that goes with reading too. I think that number really reflects poor and lazy parenting more than the poor education system.

I've done my share of mind altering drugs in my time. I never lie about it. My 4 year old Grand son knows his numbers and can read some. He can also sit at my PC and run it well enough to watch his Thomas Train cartoons without needing help form me. Parenting is still the same in some homes. You have to take an interest in you children and be able to interest them in learning. there are to many families where both have to work. Mothers used to stay home and do this. Teaching hasn't keep up with the changing world. Being a student in the 50's and 60's my mother was always there to help us. Then there is so much suffering in the 2 parent work family. Glad my children learned something from this mind altered self. They all do well in the single working parent home.

lingling; wrong story. Jax trash was on a different one. And my comments were on Jax trash; not LRAFB. Whole different species than Jax! That's right though lingling; it's headed to Cabot and beyond. Seems Cabot already has it's share though; judging by the meth busts there in recent years. tgirl; some on here must be out of their mind happy! Know what I mean?

LingLing....ignorance is bliss right? Lets not forget that, thanks to the "trash" from the AFB you get to exerience your freedom of speech.

Jacksonville Trash from the AFB! and its moving north on Hwy 67!

I went to 2nd through 6th grade in Monticello in the late 50's early 60's. I could always read above my grade level, as could most others in my classes. What changed? The "smart" people running our education system came up with better ways to "educate"? Doesn't seem to be working, at least not around here anyway. Like Pat said in another story about literacy; learning can be fun. I guess they took the fun out of it. Or maybe we have an entire generation of children whose parents and grandparents experimented with mind altering drugs back in the day, and now we have a zombie generation. Maybe we should try the "old ways" again, and see if that works. It appears that the "modern" way isn't working. It seems that every time I see stats in a news story on the 'net; the "Old South" is always at the bottom when it comes to the good things, and always near the top in all the bad things. Maybe AR can change this by voting for Medicinal Weed; and join the 21st Century!