"Slipping Through The Cracks"

How does an A/B honor roll, high school student make it through grade school, middle school, then on to high school, yet is unable to read? Think it's impossible? Let me share an experience with you.

A parent reached out to me about her difficulties getting her daughter to read. She said, "Ms. K, I need your help. My daughter is headed to high school this year. She's a good student, but she hates reading. Do you think you can help?"

With limited background information about her daughter, I asked to speak to her to see what was going on. Let's call her Jesse for privacy purposes. First, I asked some random questions about her hobbies and school to ease the atmosphere, then I asked about her reading. She repeated the same thing her mom said; she hated it. I told her no problem, not everyone likes to read. It's not uncommon, but next I said, "Let's read something."

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Jesse (click on the symbol beside subtitles to view section information)

Back to the original question...

How did she get this far without someone noticing that she was a struggling reader?

Here are a few options:

• She faked it 'til she made it. Meaning Jesse may have gotten by through listening to others and regurgitating the information on paper, thereby "slipping through the cracks" without being noticed.

• Someone did notice, but she was "pushed through the cracks" like many others during virtual learning and Covid, which only set her back opposed to aiding in building skills.

• She needed services to address her specific learning needs that weren't being met.

There are other reasons that kids struggle with reading, but the bottom line was she needed help. She was already failing in the first month of school. On top of that, she was getting frustrated. The material was a step up from middle school and the demand in work increased. So, what next?

A Breakthrough for Jesse

But what about you?

Do you have or know a school aged child or adolescent who is struggling with reading, slipping, or has slipped through the cracks? If so, I'd like to share a few helpful tips to help you get started on what to do.

TIPS FOR PARENTS OF STRUGGLING READERS & INDEPENDENT STUDENTS

If this blog was beneficial in any way, leave a comment or add a question. I'd love to hear from you.

Create A Good Day!

Kiyoko's Place

Kiyoko Demings

(Reading & Writing Interventionist)