TRANSCRIPT: 'Early Edition': Riley: 'We Have Long Way to Go' in Raising American Youths' Reading Level

July 26, 1999
Web posted at: 5:03 p.m. EDT (2103 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Almost half of U.S. schoolchildren cannot read at their grade level, according to a report released Monday by the Education Department. But the agency's director has a lesson plan he hopes will lead to better skills.

"I have said that if every parent read with their children at least 30 minutes a night, it would really revolutionize education in this country," Education Secretary Richard Riley told CNN's "Early Edition."

Looking at national student data from kindergarten through 12th grade, the report found that 40 percent of schoolchildren cannot read at their grade level.

Moreover, children are not reading enough, and not learning to read early enough, Riley said. The findings, he said, can be used by parents and communities seeking to improve the reading skills of young people.

Titled "Start Early, Finish Strong," the report advises families and child-care providers on how to nurture the learning skills of preschoolers. It also suggests after-school reading aids, such as having college students or senior citizens serve as literacy mentors to those having trouble reading.

Educational studies suggest that reading to children 2 years old or younger can significantly influence their development.

"Children who are just born. It's wonderful to read slowly to them and sing with them and so forth. All that makes a difference," Riley said.

But what about 16-year-olds in high school who aren't reading at their grade level?

"You really need to give them individual attention. We know what to do. We know how to teach children to read. There was a National Research Council study last year that shows us exactly how to teach children to read."

Despite the findings, Riley remains optimistic.

"Over the last four years, we've had improvements to a third- to a half-grade level in testing fourth, eighth and 12th grade. So even 12th-graders are reading better over the last couple of years," he said.

More information about the report, which also looks at the reading ability of adults, is posted at the Ed News Kiosk on the Education Department's Web site.

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