Reading Steps

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We need Affirmative Learning, NOT Affirmative Action I have heard the same grumbling yet again from those who oppose the United States Supreme Court's decision issued just a couple of days ago that I heard back in 2014 when a similar case was decided, which I wrote an article about back then and reproduce below. Talk show hosts on WJR, Detroit, writer...

3-5-23 March is Reading Month!

Don’t complain about the problem. Produce a solution that works. That is what I did.

I posted this comment on Representative Lisa McLain’s Facebook post:

My solution

Thank you for supporting "March is reading month"!

As a former reading specialist in the Detroit Public Schools, I have been on my own "Reading Crusade" for many years.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to successfully raise the achievement of my students consistently and remarkably for nearly 40 years.

When my high school had a persistent 70% drop-out rate as measured by entering ninth grade classes of 1000 but graduating twelfth grade classes of 300 students, my students maintained good attendance, measurably improved in their reading comprehension, almost never dropped out, and went on to be successful in college and careers after high school graduation.

My secret? I wrote a self-instructional reading program for my students to use. Coaches had their athletes come to me for tutoring. Coach Stuckey at Denby High School shared with me a list of 21 students who received full athletic scholarships to college. As a result of using my book, The Language Enrichment Program, they scored high enough on the SAT or ACT to qualify for the scholarships they received. My book is now available on Amazon. It works for students of any age or grade level, grade 3 to college.

Jo Roderick responded:
Detroit news posted Michigan 4th graders ranked 32nd in 2019 IN THE NATION. Now they are rated 43rd.
If she can't help them, what would?
She got her photo op, though.
You retired....
Why does lisa brag about children that low in education?

Shelley O’Brien responded to Jo Roderick:
If she had her way, there wouldn't be a Department of Education. Maybe if she stops voting "nay" for legislation that would support children I might be able to take her concern for them seriously.

My response to Jo Roderick:

After I retired I continued to support a successful reading program that effectively raises the reading comprehension level of students by two years or grade levels on average in less than one semester by placing it on Amazon at considerable expense to me. Now any person can benefit.

I was made a reading specialist at Southeastern High School in Detroit when I was a world and American history teacher. It was discovered that the way I had been teaching history raised my students' reading achievement on the required standardized achievement tests such that Southeastern was the most improved in reading achievement of Detroit's 22 high schools.

People need to quit complaining about student low reading achievement when there is a proven solution readily available to any parent or teacher. Just search for "Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program" under "books" on Amazon.

I read an interesting meme on Facebook that said "If you think reading is boring, you're doing it wrong."

I wrote a cure for that problem that has helped many people. My cure is titled "The Language Enrichment Program." If you want to solve this problem, buy the book on Amazon! In the category of "books," search for "Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program" and you will find it.

I keep reading more studies that show the Covid 19 crisis has had a very negative impact on reading achievement.

The answer to this problem, as always, is to use my self-instructional reading program.

You can easily find it on Amazon if you search there for "Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program."

My Language Enrichment Program still works as an effective tool to improve anyone's reading comprehension and inference skills. Search for it on Amazon under Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program and you will find it easily.

In light of today's events and concerns, here is a seemingly forgotten solution that still works!

My book, The Language Enrichment Program, helps anyone read better with greater understanding.

This book works with students of any age (above age 8 through adult, though with parent or teacher help it can be used with students as young as the second grade).

On average, students who use this resource advance two grade levels in reading comprehension. Of course, this being the average, half advance more than two years, some as many as four or five years in their level of reading comprehension.

This reading improvement helps students who need to pass required tests to demonstrate they read on grade level before they can pass to the next grade level.

Students who are English language learners are better prepared to pass college entrance or placement tests to avoid placement in remedial English courses.

The Language Enrichment Program is unique because it is self-instructional. Users can get the benefit of this resource with little or no help from a parent, tutor, or teacher.

This book has turned many ""reluctant learners"" into motivated readers. Get the reading and academic help your child, student or you need with this book. Improve your reading ability. Increase your reading speed. Strengthen your academic performance in all subjects. Experience improved academic motivation.

The Language Enrichment Program is ideal for home education, for homeschool, for language enrichment for gifted students.

Students who learn the content of this book may know more about English and some aspects of English grammar and linguistics than many educated adults do, sometimes including their teachers! It is the process of effectively learning the content that contributes to improved reading comprehension and improved inference skills, skills often lacking even in college and adult readers.

Available on Amazon: search by my title, The Language Enrichment Program and with my name: Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program.

SELECT COMMENTS FROM THIS FB POST:

Jerome Smith remains the most brilliant educator of my lifetime. From the time I first met him tutoring in his classroom in Detroit Denby High School with his file cabinet filled with more and better instructional materials than my district committee had just created, I became his number one fan. Anything he does from Biblical scholarship to instructional guides is so sound that when he says it works—it works! He is one of the reasons I know the Father loves us. (Dr. Ronald Kar)



Jerome Smith replied:

Thank you, Ronald Kar, for such a kind and for me encouraging comment!

Coming from the (former) Assistant Director of the Detroit Public Schools Office of Communication Arts, your comment ought to carry some weight and authority behind it!

I deeply appreciate our long friendship and your obvious care for the students and teachers in the Detroit Public Schools. Most of all, I count it a joy to know that you are a solid, Bible believing Christian.

Ronald Kar replied:

I retired first time as Curriculum Director having spent 25 years in teacher evaluation and second retirement as dept chair of curriculum and instruction for Argosy University and then volunteering. I have observed hundreds of teachers (w/o hyperbole) you remain the best. Your New Testament friend.

The need for reading help is always present. As a reading specialist, I have found that many people are able to improve their reading even though they may not realize their need at the time.

While the best way to improve reading is simply to spend more time reading, I wrote my Language Enrichment Program to speed up that natural process, and it works.

The Language Enrichment Program is available on Amazon. On Amazon, search for "Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program" and you will easily find it.

I developed my book to help students write better English. In the process of having my students use it, I discovered that students who used my program greatly improved in reading. Reluctant readers became eager readers. My students improved in all their academic subjects. Many students were on the honor roll because their grades improved in all their other classes.

When I was transferred to teach in a high school for gifted and talented students, I used my program to "defend" my students against other English teachers who taught traditional English grammar. Those teachers told me they could always tell which of their students had been in my class because they knew their English grammar.

My point is, my book, The Language Enrichment Program, works for remedial and reluctant readers and it works as academic enrichment for gifted and talented students.

Find it on Amazon by searching for "Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program."

Many students have missed regular school because of the current Covid crisis. You can help any student forge ahead in their academic preparation.

Use my book, The Language Enrichment Program. On average, users gain two years in measurable reading comprehension grade level.

For many students, my self-instructional book does more. I have watched as students improve their inference skills, gain greater academic motivation, and improve in all their academic subjects.

Go to Amazon and search for Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program.