Reading skills in KC area illiteracy concern prompts program
The Kansas City Star notes 27 million illiterate adults and 150000 in the Kansas City area, urging early reading. Ottawa Middle School starts Books n Buds pairing middle schoolers with adult mentors to boost reading, with success measured by tests and grades. volunteer shortage is a key challenge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Kansas City Star
U.S
Kansas City
Ottawa
John D. Montgomery
Readers urged to mail signed letters to The Ottawa Herald
Opinion submissions welcome in the Reader Forum require hand signatures and including the author's address and telephone number. Writers should mail letters to Reader Forum, The Ottawa Herald, 104 S Cedar, Ottawa KS 66067 or email letters ottawaherald.com. Submissions capped at 500 words.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa Herald
Cedar
Ottawa
Ottawaherald
Print the truth in small town newspapers says editor
A New York Times editor faces critique for supporting candid prints of truth. The author argues editors must show accountability to readers, not wealthy interests, and that honesty builds trust. In a small town, transparency guards credibility and avoids hiding misdeeds from the public.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Richard Nixon
New York Times
the Times
Washington Post
Republic
Nixon
Reader letter denounces age bias in school staffing
Betty Hernandez of Hinkley California rebukes Ottawa school officials for proposing to redirect raises from experienced older teachers to younger ones. She cites Marge Stevens and Hawthorne Elementary staff for aiding her granddaughter Sarah’s move and stuttering recovery, arguing merit and experience must guide pay, not age. The letter condemns age discrimination as harmful, citing Edison, Ford, Walton and others as examples of late bloomers who achieved great impact.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marge Stevens
Sarah
Kansas
California
Mrs. Stevens
Edison
Einstein
Bell
Webster
Franklin
Ford
Sam Walton
Betty Hernandez
Hinkley
Calif
The Perils and Politics of Standardized Testing
A broad meditation on testing in America argues that SATs and LSATs are weak predictors and reinforce inequality. It notes voluntary SATs in California, top ten percent admissions in Texas, and widespread moves to de-emphasize tests. It highlights federal debates under Clinton, opposition from Congress, and the rise of prep courses that widen gaps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
California
University of California
Texas
George W. Bush
American Bar Association
Massachusetts School of
National Center For Fair and Open Testing
Bob Schaeffer
Center
White House
Clinton
Department of Education
Congress
Congressional Black Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional
Bill Clinton
Educational Testing Service
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ats
Ottawa University
Cleon
Rickel
Tribune Media Services
Doonesbury
Mallard Fillmore
Hattyweep
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!