Jessica Schulz

I wasn't sure what this program was, so I looked up the Guidelines and Standards for the North American Reading Recovery Council, which the legislation proposed to be repealed is based. This appears to be a research-based program aimed at helping first grade students struggling with reading and writing catch up with their peers before they fall too far behind and wind up in a "cycle of failure." The program trains and supports teachers who go on to work closely with those children at the most risk of reading failure for 30 minutes a day across a 12-20 week period Per the document's introduction: "Highly skilled teachers provide the one-to-one instruction for the children who are at the most risk of reading failure. Through the Reading Recovery/Descubriendo la Lectura professional training program, teachers develop an understanding of literacy processes and literacy acquisition. They learn how to observe children closely and how to provide individually designed lessons that follow each child’s unique path to literacy learning." I really don't see how New Hampshire residents would benefit from this. Don't we all benefit from ensuring the children in our communities are able to read and write? Children need these foundational skills in order to learn all the topics that come in later grade levels. They then go on to become adults who are expected to contribute to society. Regardless of the career paths they eventually choose, reading and writing are critical skills that they must possess in order to succeed. Today's first graders who are struggling in reading and writing are tomorrow's doctors, electricians, service members, farmers, scientists, foresters, business owners, etc. I do not have children of my own, but I do want the adults in my community to excel at their chosen careers because we ALL benefit from this. For these reasons, I oppose this bill and any others proposing to repeal or cut funding for proven educational programs benefitting NH students. Please vote no on HB1529.