Larry, my daughter has had the same problem all through school; her reading comprehension was way off the charts for her age group, yet spelling was atrocious. We fought for her right to take exams in other ways, too.

I don't think LeeJ meant to take any Mudcatters to task. We all, I hope, can recognise and accept that there are erudite poeple on here, such as yourself, who do have such disabilities. You have made no bones about it from the start. Then there are the lazy asses like me who just don't "proffreid", as PeterT puts it.

I think the distinction was more about young people and education in general. I have three sisters who are teachers. Every year they see more added onto their work, which has nothing to do with their subject matter. They are now responsible for so many things that parents used to do: making sure a child has eaten breakfast, has clean clothes and adequate supplies....the list is endless. There have been no increased compensations of any kind, just high expectations that they will serve the children, not only as a teacher, but as a substitute parent, nurse, etc.

As an example of how the system has let teachers down: 20 years ago, Wyoming paid top dollar for good teachers. The pay rate was one of the highest in the nation and the best teachers came here to teach. The academic standards were high and a parent could count on their child learning well. The other day I heard a report on current conditions for teachers in Wyoming: among other things, the pay ranks 41st in the nation, many of the good teachers who were attracted, like my sisters, to the good pay, are retiring, some early like my sister, because of the detrioration of support. The state is now faced with trying to replace its best with no decent salaries to attract a new crop of the best. Not suprisingly, the academic standards have dropped considerably.

Gervase is right...teachers are based on how well their students perform on standardised tests and there are far too many children who have never even had a book in their home. If we really want a change it has to start at home.

kat