In the public schools, some of the very best and most experienced teachers teach remedial reading. Well, let's be hopeful. Despite all my problems with testing and standards, I strongly support your efforts to get a national reading test for every state and student. It will give one type of concrete information to parents, school administrators, and legislatures. National testing can also keep us from going down curricular blind alleys.
National tests can find out if they are right.
But if you are going to encourage volunteers, please provide them with training, materials, and supervision. And thanks again for your interest in reading as one of the most important and fundamental skills in the field of education. Edward Fry is an emeritus professor of education at Rutgers University and a former adviser to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.