Page 14 - The Indian EYE 052623

COMMUNITY OP-ED MAY 26, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

A Historic Shift

in How We Teach Our

Children to Read

The inability to read is not our students’ fault nor our teachers’ fault. It doesn’t mean that a teacher isn’t
doing her job well or that a child is lazy or lacking in ability. We have been using the wrong methods to teach

our children, and now we are shifting course so we can give our young people a chance at a better future

ERIC ADAMS

ew York City has the largest
public school system in the
Nnation, and we are proud of
our dedicated teachers and admin-
istrators who do so much to educate
our talented students from so many
different backgrounds and countries.
We want to set up our students for
success, and teaching them to read
confidently is crucial to our efforts. 1: Ask your children or the children in your care what they are reading about. Can they tell you about the stories they are reading? And if possi-
That is why we are making a
historic shift in our curriculum, and ble, spend some time reading with them, or let your children see you reading as well (Representative photo)
launching NYC Reads, a program
based on proven science-of-reading The inability to read is not our it wasn’t diagnosed—and every day your children or the children in your
techniques. We will teach our stu- students’ fault nor our teachers’ I was laughed at and humiliated. I care what they are reading about.
dents skills that they can fall back fault. It doesn’t mean that a teach- was told that I was dumb. Now, in Can they tell you about the stories
on to decode words when the level er isn’t doing her job well or that a addition to making sure that all our they are reading? And if possible,
becomes difficult, and we will train child is lazy or lacking in ability. We students are screened for dyslexia, spend some time reading with them,
our teachers so they can provide in- have been using the wrong methods we will be teaching them reading or let your children see you reading
struction effectively. to teach our children, and now we and mathematics through a prov- as well!
When our young people don’t are shifting course so we can give en, scientific, and methodical ap- A child’s best day should not be
learn to read properly, they are our young people a chance at a bet- proach—so that they don’t have to the day their teacher doesn’t call on
more likely to struggle, and they ter future. suffer the way I did. them. Their best day should be when
can fall into a cycle of poverty and NYC Reads is personal for me. As we switch to NYC Reads, we their teacher does call on them, and
even incarceration. A staggering Even now, when I enter a classroom are asking our parents and commu- they can stand up and read. NYC
40% of our jail population cannot as mayor, I’m reminded of my life nity leaders to step up as well. At- Reads will make that possible.
read properly, and 80% don’t have a as a child walking into class, hoping tend an Open House at your child’s
high school diploma or equivalency and praying that the teacher didn’t school, where you can learn about Eric Adams is
diploma. call on me to read. I had dyslexia but NYC Reads and ask questions. Ask the Mayor of New York City, NY

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