Arkansas Yankee you are absolutely right. The OLD DAYS worked for some reason....then came "new math" then came read by "rote"....everyone's an expert. Why make a normal human instinct (learning) so COMPLICATED. Learning can be made to be fun.

I guess it depends on the individual. I went from home to 1st grade; no "preschool" for me. I learned my ABC's at home, and how to write my name. Then came "a boy" and Jane. ( The boys name is a censored word on this website! ) We also had a rag called the Weekly Reader that gave us the opportunity to buy books; and Dad always gave me a quarter or two to do so. My paternal grandfather sent me two Hardy Boy books every birthday and Christmas. By high school, I haunted the school and public librarys. I loved to read! In the late '60's, Ottawa, IL had a public library that would put Jax's "new" library to shame. I've no idea what the school libraries are like around here, except for PTC's; and it isn't any award winner. I see by the people I know and have worked with that is up to the individual as far as how much they want to learn, IF they want to learn, and IF they even go to school when they should. No child left behind is a pant load - there are those that are not interested; and you can't "force" them to learn if they do not wish to do so. Yes Pat, school is the place to learn; but there are two other factors. Parents that care, and the child wanting to learn.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD...WE LEARNED TO READ BY PHONICS IN REGULAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL......I still have a news article where BILLY BOY said "We are PLANNING on more adult illiteracy programs,,.." WHAT? Why would you plan for MORE ILLITERACY PROGRAMS? Children are capable of BEING TAUGHT TO READ IN REGULAR SCHOOL....EXCEPT FOR THE FEW WHO NEED HELP.