Reading Teacher

For the last two years I have taught remedial reading at 107th Street School in South-Central L.A., after 10 years as a kindergarten teacher there. My position was funded by a measure for class-size reduction in the upper grades, and I taught fourth- and fifth-graders whose reading skills were at second-grade level or lower.

Two weeks ago the school’s fourth- and fifth-grade teachers voted to eliminate the position. No evaluation of my program was made--except by the principal, who strongly approved of it. The funds will now be spent on a “performing arts” position. The principle that “reading comes first” does not necessarily trickle down to local schools.

VICTORIA BRAGO

Los Angeles