Read L.A. Can Make Difference

Read L.A., a tutoring program being organized by Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer, has the potential to help children statewide become competent readers, while at the same time helping college students become better teachers.

The program, currently just for the city of L.A., calls for prospective teachers to tutor children in kindergarten through third grade who are having difficulty learning to read. The children would get extra help after school, either at the school or at a local library.

The tutors, Cal State students, would earn college credit and get the classroom experience they need to become proficient teachers. More tutors could come from the ranks of would-be teachers at community colleges, especially those who are already teacher’s aides or who are involved in so-called learning service programs, which combine academic instruction with community service.

Though the City Council has no authority over public education, Feuer deserves credit for taking the lead on Read L.A. His commitment to L.A. schools starts at home: He has two children enrolled in public schools.

The first tutors are scheduled to start in a handful of L.A. city schools in September, though many details still need to be worked out. The initial support is promising. Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Ruben Zacarias is willing to use state and federal after-school funds to keep classrooms open for tutoring and hopes tutors will be provided for every elementary school. The city’s 68 libraries, an ideal arena for reading lessons, also have committed space for children and tutors.

Cal State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed endorses the initiative, and is encouraging Cal State campuses throughout the region to provide tutors, including Cal State L.A., Northridge, Dominguez Hills, Long Beach and Fullerton in Orange County. Reading scores, on average, are low throughout the region and the state.

Another supporter of Read L.A., community college trustee Kelly Candaele, plans to introduce a motion April 14 seeking funds to administer the program at the nine L.A. community colleges, including some possible financial assistance for the tutors.

With the proper support, Read L.A. could make a difference with the current generation of poor readers and provide another assault on California’s reading crisis.