Learning to read is like learning to play basketball or the piano.  First you learn the skills; then you need lots of practice.  Reading skills involve comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and word recognition.  The practice comes from reading books and other print materials.

      Classroom Reading Teachers.  All students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 benefit from reading classes in addition to other academic classes involving English, mathematics, science, and social studies.  The Course and Program Descriptions for Indiana Schools published by the Indiana Department of Education Center for School Improvement and Performance in August 1999 spells out the content concerning reading skills and literature.  This information can be accessed at /indianastandards.htm>.  A typical school of 500 students in Grades 6-8 that provides reading classes will have three reading teachers, three English teachers, three mathematics teachers, three science teachers, and three social studies teachers.

      Title I Reading Teachers.  Schools are placing much emphasis on reading skills in primary grades.  The Phonics Tool Kit workshops, online phonics courses, early intervention programs, new reading standards, and upcoming reading adoption—all support this effort.  However, a look at the results of past efforts tells us that all students will not be successful readers in the middle grades despite the excellent instruction that they will receive in the primary grades.  School corporations should allocate Title I funds for reading teachers to support those students who are unable to read with success in the middle grades.  Many programs and materials are now available for Title I reading teachers to help middle grades students become successful readers.  

  School Libraries.  The school library is the main source of materials for students to practice their reading.  School corporations that make reading a priority designate funds to build extensive book collections and provide the staffing needed to connect students with them.