Small Groups Best for Young Readers

I am the parent of both a sixth-grade student and a third-grade student attending public school in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

I am somewhat in agreement with “A New Reading on U.S. Literacy” (Sept. 29). However, one critical point that seems to get overlooked is that when the “new” core literature program was instituted, not only did phonics go by the wayside; so too did small reading groups.

I am very much in favor of a core literature program. A combination of core literature and phonics will work. Just do it in small groups. A little more individual attention can only benefit the children. The groups should not be divided by ability--just small numbers of children in a cooperative learning situation with high achievers, average achievers and low achievers all working together.

This seems to be one step to help eliminate the illiteracy problem.

SHARON ISRAEL BALOT, Los Angeles

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As is usually the case when “experts” are consulted on any subject, the experts disagree about how literate or illiterate Americans are today. You don’t need to look at ETS scores to figure out that Americans are less literate today than 25 years ago. I haven’t done any scientific studies, but based on my empirical observations, for at least the last decade . . . even our most esteemed universities have been granting degrees to people who are deficient in spelling and grammar skills.

It’s depressing to realize that today, computer skills are considered more important than the ability to write a logical, correctly spelled sentence.

PAIGE GOLD, Burbank