When I was young, or at least younger, I had a friend named Tim. His mother would always go places and help him because he was "unable to learn." She got him enrolled in all the available programs that would help him get a job, get special help and anything else that a "slow person" could sign up for.

A job came up at the place I was working and I spoke to the managers, who agreed to interview Tim. The time came and "along came Mommy!"

Having been told of "Tim's condition" the management was understanding and decided to offer him the job, but "Mommy" quickly pointed out that, "since he is enrolled in the State program for handicapped individuals," they did not have to pay him the full wage, but could pay an entry level wage and as he "trained" they could slowly increase the pay.

Tim had completed a program at the local college, which qualified him for the full wage, but since "Mommy" suggested the lower wages, the company quickly picked up on it and signed him on as a "Handicapped Worker."

This injustice that happens over and over again. We want to protect, or maintain our "place of importance" and in doing so perpetuate the feeling of helplessness of so many who, with a little help and encouragement could attain much more than they are allowed to.

Many years later, Tim and his wife were at an expo and he stopped at a booth that had some books displayed. One of the workers asked him if he would like to sign up to help someone learn how to read.

"I would like to learn to read myself, I wish someone would teach me," was Tim's reply.

There was an article in the newspaper with pictures of Tim and the person who taught him to read. Most of Tim's problems stemmed from the fact that he could not read. He was not "handicapped" by anything other than the fact that he was not given a chance.

How many people do you know who are "functionally illiterate?" How many people do you know that are covering up the fact they can't read and are afraid to say anything because of embarrasment?

I know none of them are reading this post, because they can't, but if you are reading it and know of anyone you even suspect can't read, please offer to help them. Look for a reading program and get them some help. They may resist, but don't take no for an answer. If you can get them started it will open the world to them. It did for Tim.

At Pennie Rich Publishing, we insist that each book have an Audio Book component. Children who have the book can play the Audio Book and read along and parents who cannot read can listen, follow along and in doing so, will begin to see that reading is a possibility.

If someone is in need, would you offer to help them? Change a tire, repair a roof, clean the house of someone who is ill, provide a meal for a family whose mother is sick? Then why not offer to help someone learn to read and open the door to a new life?

When I was young, or at least younger, I had a friend named Tim. His mother would always go places and help him because he was "unable to learn." She got him enrolled in all the available programs that would help him get a job, get special help and anything else that a "slow person" could sign up for.

A job came up at the place I was working and I spoke to the managers, who agreed to interview Tim. The time came and "along came Mommy!"

Having been told of "Tim's condition" the management was understanding and decided to offer him the job, but "Mommy" quickly pointed out that, "since he is enrolled in the State program for handicapped individuals," they did not have to pay him the full wage, but could pay an entry level wage and as he "trained" they could slowly increase the pay.

Tim had completed a program at the local college, which qualified him for the full wage, but since "Mommy" suggested the lower wages, the company quickly picked up on it and signed him on as a "Handicapped Worker."

This injustice that happens over and over again. We want to protect, or maintain our "place of importance" and in doing so perpetuate the feeling of helplessness of so many who, with a little help and encouragement could attain much more than they are allowed to.

Many years later, Tim and his wife were at an expo and he stopped at a booth that had some books displayed. One of the workers asked him if he would like to sign up to help someone learn how to read.

"I would like to learn to read myself, I wish someone would teach me," was Tim's reply.

There was an article in the newspaper with pictures of Tim and the person who taught him to read. Most of Tim's problems stemmed from the fact that he could not read. He was not "handicapped" by anything other than the fact that he was not given a chance.

How many people do you know who are "functionally illiterate?" How many people do you know that are covering up the fact they can't read and are afraid to say anything because of embarrasment?

I know none of them are reading this post, because they can't, but if you are reading it and know of anyone you even suspect can't read, please offer to help them. Look for a reading program and get them some help. They may resist, but don't take no for an answer. If you can get them started it will open the world to them. It did for Tim.

At Pennie Rich Publishing, we insist that each book have an Audio Book component. Children who have the book can play the Audio Book and read along and parents who cannot read can listen, follow along and in doing so, will begin to see that reading is a possibility.

If someone is in need, would you offer to help them? Change a tire, repair a roof, clean the house of someone who is ill, provide a meal for a family whose mother is sick? Then why not offer to help someone learn to read and open the door to a new life?

Several things have happened lately that have left me wondering exactly what is happening in education.

I heard of a Superintendent of Schools who, after a grant was awarded to build a new computer lab, did not pay the grant writer for his services. The Superintendent paid himself, saying that while the grant writer had tried, the award was made on a grant submitted by the Superintendent. The Superintendent, shortly thereafter, purchased a new private automobile.

I also heard of a Superintendent who, after the school system was awarded a very large grant for the Elementary School Reading Program, used a part of the funds for sports equipment and when the Elementary Principal tried to purchase books, she was told there was no money.

Another Superintendent of Schools visited a small, rural school and announced there were "too many books in the library" and "get rid of them" was his solution. When he heard that Dr. P. J. Nickels would be visiting the school to present copies of her books to the students, his response was, "Oh great! More books!" My question: "How can there be too many books for children to read and learn from?"

I have heard that another school district is hiding two million dollars they have skimmed off of funds from their state. "It's for a rainy day." Speaking of rainy days, each time it rained, the Elementary Principal, teachers and custodian had to place waste baskets around the school to catch the drips from the leaking roof. (They were applying for an emergency grant to repair the roof.) This same school district would not fire a Superintendent who had numerous sexual harrassment charges brought to the board because, "we would have to buy out his contract."

On the bright side, one Superintendent wanted a new computer and laptop. He pushed the district to allocate funds to upgrade computers for the schools and had his "wish list" included. He called it a "win/win" solution.

What can patrons of a School District do to stop the abuse by Superintendents who are all about themselves and their agendas and not about the children and learning.

The answer, nothing as long as School Boards are more worried about Sports Championships than reading, math and the other core subjects.

The small, rural districts seem to be the ones getting the low ratings the majority of the time. Could the fact that funds in these districts are not being used properly and small district administrators think no one will check up on them be because they are a long distance from the Office of the State Dept. of Education be the reason for this abuse of power? That seems to be the prevailing attitude in many rural district's.

Don't get me wrong, there are many small school districts performing very well and whose students have a high rate of attending institutuions of higher learning, but there are many more who hire Superintendents who are lacking in the abilities it takes to run a district and seem to let them work without any supervision or allow the superintendent to "take over" not only the running of the schools, but the School Board's duties as well.

Take a look at your schools ratings, not if they have a great football or basketball team, but if the students score well on the Standardized tests (don't get me started on that one) and if there are a majority of students going to college and trade schools.

That is, if you can even get the stats. If you can't find the information, attend the school board meetings and watch what happens. Many of the Boards are "rubber stamp boards," where one person makes all the decisions and the "board sitters" agree to whatever is presented.

It is time to become involved, but understand, you are in for a long, uphill battle and many hours, days, weeks and years of dissapointment and frustration.

Several things have happened lately that have left me wondering exactly what is happening in education.

I heard of a Superintendent of Schools who, after a grant was awarded to build a new computer lab, did not pay the grant writer for his services. The Superintendent paid himself, saying that while the grant writer had tried, the award was made on a grant submitted by the Superintendent. The Superintendent, shortly thereafter, purchased a new private automobile.

I also heard of a Superintendent who, after the school system was awarded a very large grant for the Elementary School Reading Program, used a part of the funds for sports equipment and when the Elementary Principal tried to purchase books, she was told there was no money.

Another Superintendent of Schools visited a small, rural school and announced there were "too many books in the library" and "get rid of them" was his solution. When he heard that Dr. P. J. Nickels would be visiting the school to present copies of her books to the students, his response was, "Oh great! More books!" My question: "How can there be too many books for children to read and learn from?"

I have heard that another school district is hiding two million dollars they have skimmed off of funds from their state. "It's for a rainy day." Speaking of rainy days, each time it rained, the Elementary Principal, teachers and custodian had to place waste baskets around the school to catch the drips from the leaking roof. (They were applying for an emergency grant to repair the roof.) This same school district would not fire a Superintendent who had numerous sexual harrassment charges brought to the board because, "we would have to buy out his contract."

On the bright side, one Superintendent wanted a new computer and laptop. He pushed the district to allocate funds to upgrade computers for the schools and had his "wish list" included. He called it a "win/win" solution.

What can patrons of a School District do to stop the abuse by Superintendents who are all about themselves and their agendas and not about the children and learning.

The answer, nothing as long as School Boards are more worried about Sports Championships than reading, math and the other core subjects.

The small, rural districts seem to be the ones getting the low ratings the majority of the time. Could the fact that funds in these districts are not being used properly and small district administrators think no one will check up on them be because they are a long distance from the Office of the State Dept. of Education be the reason for this abuse of power? That seems to be the prevailing attitude in many rural district's.

Don't get me wrong, there are many small school districts performing very well and whose students have a high rate of attending institutuions of higher learning, but there are many more who hire Superintendents who are lacking in the abilities it takes to run a district and seem to let them work without any supervision or allow the superintendent to "take over" not only the running of the schools, but the School Board's duties as well.

Take a look at your schools ratings, not if they have a great football or basketball team, but if the students score well on the Standardized tests (don't get me started on that one) and if there are a majority of students going to college and trade schools.

That is, if you can even get the stats. If you can't find the information, attend the school board meetings and watch what happens. Many of the Boards are "rubber stamp boards," where one person makes all the decisions and the "board sitters" agree to whatever is presented.

It is time to become involved, but understand, you are in for a long, uphill battle and many hours, days, weeks and years of dissapointment and frustration.

as of 1/1/1900