State and local governments are increasingly reducing or redirecting the funding that supports public education. Core skills, like reading, may be one of the first programs to experience a rollback in budget support, since some legislators believe that reading is a self-starting learning skill. In other words, they feel that children who know the basics of reading can continue to improve on their own without government support.

The problem is that many students do not improve. Family problems, overcrowded classrooms, and sometimes unqualified teachers can prevent young students from improving their reading skills to an adult functioning level. As a result, many high school graduates read only at a second or third grade level.

The problem is that many students do not improve. Family problems, overcrowded classrooms, and sometimes unqualified teachers can prevent young students from improving their reading skills to an adult functioning level. As a result, many high school graduates read only at a second or third grade level.

If you are concerned about your children's reading ability and the potential for improvement in the public school system, here are some steps a parent can take to strengthen a child's schools by supplementing a public school reading program: