Hello Mr. Stansberry.

I don't believe I've seen you here before. Anyway, I can't agree with you on this subject enough. I have a 5 year old boy who reads at the level of 2nd grader according to his pre-school teacher. My wife started to read with him soon after he turned one. Neither me or my wife would be considered "gifted" when it come to our IQs (we're very average or little above) but, like you stated, getting involved early is the key to your child's chance at success in school and probably in life.

>David,

>Thank you for responding. Of course, you didn't owe me an explanation. I commend you for the things you are doing.

>What I was really hoping to hear from you though, was your involvment in something such as the "Parents as Teachers" program. I think we can all agree that learning to read, in the early grades, is the single most important achievement in a childs life. With this foundation, anything is possible. Without it, the child is doomed.

>I see a wealth of talent on the UT (and elsewhere) that, if made available to your local schools for a couple hours a week, could have a major positive impact on possibly 1000's of kids. Believe me when I say that most teachers and administrators appreciate all the free help they can get.

>After school, many children have no one to help them. So, rather than study, they run the streets....or watch TV. Talk about a brain drain!

>Many of our schools have computers. Some, in every classroom. But,....many of the teachers don't even know what a word processor is. Talk about a golden opportunity to have a "positive impact" on our children.

>There's ample opportunity for everyone to have a positive impact on society in our own back yards.