After-school tutoring extends the hours students spend learning. Besides, many classrooms already are packed with students and equipment, leaving little room for a tutor, Smith said. We know that you can break the cycle by dealing with two generations at once. Hoekstra raised yet another possible culprit in woeful reading scores, teachers themselves. Some teachers favor using phonics, encouraging children to sound out each word and write exactly as they hear, even though they often initially misspell words.
Many schools teach a blend, but the methods are a hot topic of debate in schools.
As Clinton's reading initiative reaches Capitol Hill, his call for a corps of reading tutors will face resistance from Republicans such as Hoekstra and some Democrats. Smith said he expects the tutors eventually will be authorized by Congress because he believes public support will weigh in on Clinton's side. Freden, the Kansas education official, gave a hint how teachers would view the additional help and how they might generate grass-roots support. She couldn't imagine a state turning down the reading tutors. Most educators feel education is the future of our country.