Dear Jim:
We are pleased to notify you that the We All Can Read Program has been endorsed by the National Right to Read Foundation, as an exemplary instructional program for teaching children and adults to read.
The success of We All Can Read in teaching the skill of reading is a precious gift to all those who have been locked out of society’s mainstream because of illiteracy. You have mad a significant impact nationally on how children and adults are taught to read, and the response of the American people clearly indicates you are succeeding.
In our review of your program, we have used the following criteria: is the instructional approach direct and systematic; are the reading skills taught in the order of difficulty students have in leaning them; is the phonetic system taught in a specific sequence; is adequate practice provided at each step to ensure that the principles being taught are thoroughly learned; are letter sounds taught in isolation; is the blending of the sounds of the letters taught; is the phonetic system taught in its entirety; and finally, does the individual learn to read using your system of phonetic teaching instruction? Based on our assessment, you meet and exceed these requirements. While no one need tell you, your program is academically sound—the results speak for themselves.
According to the U. S. Department of Education (Wills, 1986), “about 25% of high school students drop out before graduation and of those who do graduate over 30% are illiterate. Thus, we are apparently teaching only somewhat over half of today’s students to read.” The continued problem of illiteracy is an enormous one, but you have made a very significant contribution to solving one of America’s greatest unmet needs. Congratulations on your achievement. We wish you continued success, as you pursue the goal of eliminating illiteracy in America.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Sweet, Jr.
Past President / National Right to Read Foundation
Former Professional Staff Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce / U.S. House of Representatives