My relationship with reading: First I was a mother of a second grader that could not read (then after for my 3 yrs. of efforts—with no internet– she DID read)!
Again, then as the Clinical Laboratory Director in Hospitals and Large Reference Labs….then as a Downsizer ( with a Behavioral Masters) for South Florida at these 5 sites, Then On youth Suicide units, & as a substitute teacher. Then on Youth Crisis and Group Home MGR. Then Special Project Program writer DJJ Maine-with that Behavioral Masters and working on (4) PhD Diss. against a Mentor with a COI to Reading Skill Recovery for all Public Schools. Also, as a licensed Prof. Counselor cond. I think it fair to say the story that applies here –is whether– it truly is what comes first– the Chicken or the Egg. I happen to think with some good insight that– the Chicken is first.
(Today 30+% of ADULTS (parents) do not read past 3rd grade (NAAL;2003) & now 40% of kids).
What, from my view comes first in importance is -the ability for each person to fit in with their peers effectively in Pre-K play. Then all are equal. (For Me –Piaget:1953 described it as- Assimilation & Accommodation in human development (sorry long story)}.
Anyway with simple data—Reading is to come in the future from our remarkable ESSENTIAL program for all Public Schools. After schools can not get them reading by 3rd and test them with Federal Reading Stats NAEP if we still have them – Then we will be able to help them because we have that Answer. See Olga testimonials.
I had a Book!
I am interested in talking about Life Skills & the well health promotional benefit they offer. Having work with youth in different settings: my private office, a youth staying for 3 weeks in a step down–away from Hospital Mental Health Unit; youth crisis – 6-week program, and; a youth suicide unit-acute 3 day –it is time we talk about what works.
For me working with them– it was all of the above. I used (like all of you) different techniques & they all worked-well.
I am not a Social Worker –Just a Professional Counselor- Conditional. I had passed a State License and was sent a LCPC license but sent it back. My interest was in well health only. With that kind of motivation—it did not take me long to figure out what the child might benefit from-just by the setting.
Mostly like working with 8-10th graders but also help those in Middle school who were experiencing bullying or were the bullies. So many issues, so little time. As I said–I like Life Skills. The beauty of this work is in the definition.
I want the kids to live well. And I make it happen.
I often do not talk about what brings them there-that is old news. I just watch them and see what they gravitate to. TV, Phone are gone–so these kids are bored–most can not read past 3rd grade so they are not going to pick up a book–most books on the units are gone if they have pictures. So nothing else to do but talk— they do not want to talk to me. No problem. I was not paid staff—I was an observer-research student/asked to develop a program and no one knew any of that. I did this for 8-9 months. Staff loved me–“oh she’s here–we will have a good day!
The Psychologist—thought it was a good idea I was there-the kids I sent to other staff LSW, LCPC really talked. ( On Campus: Hospital Clinical Lab Director by day— an Adult sitting on a couch on a youth suicide unit (with a Book-trying to read a page) by evening and weekends) .
I sat on a community couch on a suicide unit under a sign that said–no spitting, no throwing, no yelling….etc. I read my (Large Print) book–maybe a few pages a week but I turned pages. It always brought them closer to me. By Day 2 (on suicide) I had their attention —sometimes they sat on me. I just moved away and asked if they wanted something. They could not figure me out. I talked to kids who saw me sit there & talking to a child in the hall for an hour or so, or walking out to the patio for a few minutes and laughing with another. They saw me for Day 1 -talking a lot with Day 2 kids-so they knew I was safe and humorous. Kids stopped crying–I brought the Kleenex.
By Day 3–they were doing fine…or better–they had lived through their experience and enjoyed an hour with me. Then they went to be peer equals or to talk with a Social worker–I had sent them on their way with new Life Skills.
I was asked if I could teach this stuff. Yes, was my answer.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDIXED TESTING—every year we cycle through the same issues for Education Managers on these tests as they largely show failure in the Educational System & those have remained unresolved for decades:
Author: D. Parker Pres. FVYD with the answer
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY WITH OPEN EYES AND COLLABORATION-15 min. and life changes for all!
Those test show time and again for decades– THE INCREASING FAILURE OF Reading Standardized Testing. Today 40% (1991: it was 12%) of students do not read past 3rd grade. Now Teachers are leaving their classrooms in droves due to unruly & abusive students ( who are only protecting themselves from peer scrutiny & gossip). It is all connected.
Those Standard tests also tell us a lot more.
In the past 25 years we- a Nonprofit 501c3 have had the reading solution–it is a tool that works on physics and mechanics. While Literacy & labels are what school Educ. Management has used —to perpetuate and expound upon manipulating what they have no answer for.
We ALL have spent decades of time and tons of money –to WAIT-while nothing successful addresses the one issue that can change Education for ever. AS YOU SAY…standardized testing has not changed for decades- IN THAT TIME WE WENT FROM 12% TO 40% of Kids who can not read.
Again this cyclical topic is discussed by Education Managers—to what end? (HIDE)
Lets instead, get together and add a simple “single” course up front for grades 3rd to Adult–so all finally have a chance to a greater future. Because….WE CAN! And cut school costs…and students labels i.e., dyslexia, add etc. too. Just let us in then keep those “standardized testing going” and so soon—YOU WILL SEE, just how quickly what OUR FVYD simple solution can do FOR ALL. Watch how fast this changes illness to well health in our schools:
Teachers will want to STAY with this support– they sorely needed for these decades. This path will LET OUR TEACHERS TEACH– never to be blamed again—Nor were the students guilty of laziness or not trying hard enough. (They truly NEVER STOPPED TRYING)! Wait & see HOW SMART THEY ARE! Again…
because WE CAN! Go to www.myfuturevisioninc.com READ ALL The Testimonials–this could have all be over and done with decades ago…HOW MANY KIDS HAVE WE LOST MEANWHILE…. way too many to count….it did not have to be this way.
Join our GANG—with your name (and profession) or interest only!
We have 75 voters…from 11/2024—lets add 1000’s more. Thanks together we will get there!
Blog-June2026
Want to see a MIRACLE? ..by Deborah Parker Pres. FVYD
Was just reading a post on ever increasing student discipline problems for our teachers—as their reason for leaving schools!
Do not fool yourself. Our discipline crisis started decades ago- teachers tolerated it. In 1999 the reading failure # in students was 12 %. Now it is 40% we need to get the message. When they can’t read what do that do in class??? First they do not want to be “called on” –so to fail in front of their class. So teachers quickly learn not to call on them. Then soon they move back in the class & hope not to be seen. Be aware a gang is forming in back- 2 rows of a 18-member classroom & be ready for anything to come out of there all day long. Then there are those back there also bored who simply cannot read the board fast enough “to get” what is written on it. This is not a medical 20/20 Acuity problem. It may just be their millisecond reading skills timing is off–so it takes seconds instead. They are always left behind & very smart but oh so tired of trying to do the work and failing and failing and failing. If you want more of these FACTS just ask me !–But rather than talking with you all for these past decades. I would like to fix the problems & SAVE our KIDS….Because WE CAN—we have the READING SKILLS TOOL. We can not get in! JUST GIVE FVYD a School Contract for 2 District one level schools & we will show you a MIRACLE–
