No, it’s not news about my books, but my sister sent me the link to this article which says that all funding for the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program has been eliminated for 2009. I grew up in an economically depressed area, one where lots of kids wouldn’t have been able to have books of their own if not for RIF. I was among them. I can’t express how much those RIF books meant to me early in my lifelong love affair with books. I can think of few areas (except for basic requirements like food, shelter and health care) where government funds could do so much good. Speaking as someone who has an illiterate family member, the ability to read is imperative to carving out a good and productive life for oneself. Getting a child hooked on reading early is the key to setting them on the right course.
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April 23rd, 2008
6 Responses to “Sad news about books”Leave a Reply |
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April 24th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I remember seeing commercials for RIF on tv when I was a kid. I haven’t seen any ads in a long time. I didn’t even know the program was still around.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:24 am
That is sad… why is it that they cut funding on the stuff kids need???
There’s my reason 1,298,756 to homeschool.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
That’s really sad.
I don’t know much about the program… but one of my students can’t read. She’s in 5th grade, and I can’t understand it. [I'm a "visiting teacher" - or, I pop in for a few hours, teach Street Law, then go.] But… what’s going to happen to her?
April 24th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I hadn’t heard about it in a long time either, Jane, but then I don’t have kids and haven’t been in the schools.
Marianne, my sister homeschools too. I’ve met so many people who do now.
limecello, that’s sad about your student.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Wait a minute. Isn’t literacy his wife’s token cause? How stupid is this?
RIF is hardly the only book-donation or literacy-promoting organization out there, so it’s not like all of a sudden the impoverished or challenged will have no advocates or resources–but it’s a huge, stupid blow to a very important area.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
RIF was started by a very well-connected Democrat (spouse of a politician) at the time. I wonder if there just not as well connected anymore. It is sad.
Love the photos from RT.