WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	(WTNH) _ President clinton says it all starts with a teacher, and he's making big plans to put learning first in our classrooms. Thursday he president proposed spending $200 million to hire new teachers, and he plans to shrink class size in early grades. $35 million would go to college scholarships for students wanting to become teaches in poor districts. And $18 million for the troops to teachers program which trains retired military personnel for the classroom. A big issue for the president is keeping kids where they are until they are ready for the next grade. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports. At 20 years old, Takesha Gomez reads at a second grade level, even though she went to public schools in New York City and Hartford and graduated from a special education program. She still can't read well. Takesha Gomez: "It makes me feel embarrassed going to stores. It's hard to read." Not only that she can't read a recipe or directions on a medicine bottle. Right now she doesn't have a job. The head of the Literacy Volunteers of Hartford says she's not alone. (21:43-54) "Schools are overburdened. We are seeing a number of children who are unprepared. Teachers and school systems haven't been able to help all of those students." The idea of moving kids to the next grade level who don't have the basic skills is called 'Social Promotions." It's something kids across the state are addressing. In Waterbury, adminstrators are starting a Saturday program for kids who are falling behind. New Haven runs a similar program. Many educators say holding kids back puts too much of a stigma on them so the idea is to find other solutions to prevent social promotion. (30:45-:54) "I think its a tragedy they go to college and end up with a third grade level. So its the teachers and parents responsability." (32:32;54-04) "I think you need some remediation, but i also think there are instance where despite the stigma you should hold that child back." Last year the legislature approved $20 million for early reading success programs. Many state officials believe that funding will be expanded this year and that there is bipartisan support. As for Takesha we salute her for speaking out. She tells me she wants to become a nurse's aide. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

(WTNH) _ President clinton says it all starts with a teacher, and he's making big plans to put learning first in our classrooms. Thursday he president proposed spending $200 million to hire new teachers, and he plans to shrink class size in early grades. $35 million would go to college scholarships for students wanting to become teaches in poor districts. And $18 million for the troops to teachers program which trains retired military personnel for the classroom. A big issue for the president is keeping kids where they are until they are ready for the next grade.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports.

At 20 years old, Takesha Gomez reads at a second grade level, even though she went to public schools in New York City and Hartford and graduated from a special education program. She still can't read well.

Takesha Gomez: "It makes me feel embarrassed going to stores. It's hard to read."

Not only that she can't read a recipe or directions on a medicine bottle. Right now she doesn't have a job. The head of the Literacy Volunteers of Hartford says she's not alone.

(21:43-54) "Schools are overburdened. We are seeing a number of children who are unprepared. Teachers and school systems haven't been able to help all of those students."

The idea of moving kids to the next grade level who don't have the basic skills is called 'Social Promotions." It's something kids across the state are addressing.

In Waterbury, adminstrators are starting a Saturday program for kids who are falling behind. New Haven runs a similar program. Many educators say holding kids back puts too much of a stigma on them so the idea is to find other solutions to prevent social promotion.

(30:45-:54) "I think its a tragedy they go to college and end up with a third grade level. So its the teachers and parents responsability."

(32:32;54-04) "I think you need some remediation, but i also think there are instance where despite the stigma you should hold that child back."

Last year the legislature approved $20 million for early reading success programs. Many state officials believe that funding will be expanded this year and that there is bipartisan support.

As for Takesha we salute her for speaking out. She tells me she wants to become a nurse's aide.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.