Letters To The Editor

Help Needed For Dyslexic School Children

Dear Editor,

  Autism affects one in 52 or two percent of the population, dyslexia affects one in five or 20%. Despite the mountain of research for the child with dyslexia we are stopped at the door by Special Education Adminis-trators, without effort or knowledge to guide a parent in seeking help for these children, while the child with autism is welcomed in with open arms.

            Special Education Departments throughout this state refuse to serve children with dyslexia and put the responsibility on the general education teachers that have little or no training to meet their needs.

  Over the past several years the legislature has recognized the need to address the issue of dyslexia by requiring all kindergarten and first graders to be  screened for signs of dyslexia but the law does not require the districts to address this issue. The legislature recognized that dyslexia is a learning disorder in 2012, despite the fact that in 1975 congress passed a bill that qualified the condition as a Special Education Category under the Specific Learning Disability. Even with this recognition from the legislature there continues to be a disconnect with the Mississippi Department of Education. MDE does not seem to be concerned that 20% of children are not receiving an adequate education that addresses these children. This is a violation of their civil rights. These children are being told to sit in the back of the bus, while those who do not have dyslexia are treated to the education they deserve. Is this not a civil rights violation?

  So what is being offered for children that are diagnosed as dyslexic in the public schools of Mississippi? Most school districts require the general education teacher to provide interventions with those students a few times a week. The problem is that teachers are ill equipped to help these children, not because they don’t want to but because they have not received training on how to teach a child with dyslexia. Teachers that are trained are few in number with most of them receiving training at their own expense and on their own time.  Generally children with dyslexia are very intelligent and can be taught alternative ways to compensate for the problems that their specific dyslexia traits cause them.

  It is crucial for everyone that is dedicated to children and passionate about reforming education in Mississippi to understand that 20% of the population suffers from dyslexia. If we do not address this problem our schools will continue to under perform and this state will continue to pour money into a broken system.The most preeminent researcher of dyslexia, Dr. Sally Shaqavitz stated, “We do not have a knowledge gap, we have an action gap.”

  Not knowing what my grandchild’s specific problem was I began to reach out to the school system for answers and help. I first talked to his teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal (more than once) and then the superintendent about my concerns. My grandson was diagnosed with dyslexia and I then returned to most of these same people but now I included the Special Education Director. I have worked in this school system for the past several years—have substituted. Many of the teachers ask for me by name to fill-in for them in their absence. They have been told that I no longer can be called to substitute. If my concern for my grandchild has offended anyone I am sincerely sorry, but until I get the results he and other children have rights to I will continue to strive to do what is right for these children.

  /s/ Darnell Vaughn 

 

Speak The Truth Even If Your Voice Quivers

Dear Editor

            After weeks of reading and meditating on “Beer Laws,” I am quite amused. In the 1970s I saw a house spray painted with the words,”Speak the Truth, even if your Voice quivers.” Now, I will speak my Truth.

  The “new beer laws” are only a symptom of the suffering of the people of Water Valley and Yalobusha county. I don’t drink but that is not relative. We live in one of the poorest counties in the country – a country that clings to wealth and money. We are taught to be individuals and not to work for the benefit of All.

  During the War of the Rebellion, the north used the tactic – Divide and Conquer. Officials today use the same tactics. If someone can’t “make you” through control, the next tactic is to make you angry. This makes you feel separated from All. We The People are ALL. Public officials are servants, not Divine Rulers…Matthew 18:2-18.

  As children, we used to sing in Sunday School, “Red and Yellow, Black & White, We are precious in His sight.” We would smile and sing. One day I asked my teacher where the red, yel-low and black children were. She told me that the adults took care of that, for me not to worry about it. It was wrong then, it’s wrong now. Even then I  was taught separation.

  There are those today that wish such issues as racism, social status and controlling the population would be left alone. I say, “Your Silence is an Atrocity to All.” The wounds of racism through SILENCE still permeate the Earth. The establishment of social status keeps us separated. Controlling the population is up to the voters. Officials are elected to carry out the wishes of the voters. This country was founded on religious freedom. It was built with a separation of Church and State regardless of what Fox News says. You are the final authority on your religious beliefs.

  I attended a Wednesday night fellowship at a local church. One of the business men came up to me and started talking about “Democrats.” I asked him what he meant. He informed me that meant black people and liberal whites. I was disgusted and asked him to keep his bigotry away.

            John Mayer wrote a song called “Waiting on the World to Change.” The only change that can occur in this world is the change we create in ourselves. The “beer laws” are surface level. Racism, social status, and controlling the population are surface level. To find your Truth one must look inside, beyond the ego.

  Water Valley WAS a railroad town. According to The History of Yalobusha County, written by The Historical Society, the ladies of the church ran the railroad off. There is a mural in town that caused much suffering when it was painted. Clinging to the past and aversion to the future will only cause suffering in our community. See things as they really are. Listen to your own Truth. Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself. Speak the Truth, even if your Voice quivers.

            John Forsyth