# Philly High School Students Go Viral Over Reading Struggles
Canonical: https://social-archive.org/shawstone/ac5Ys8wz7v
Original URL: https://social-archive.org/shawstone/CcTTRmUVg9
Author: THE SHADE ROOM
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### Philly High School Students Go Viral Over Reading Struggles | TSR Investigates Viral videos showing Philadelphia high school students struggling to read have sparked a nationwide conversation about literacy, education, social media, and whether schools are failing students. A student at Philadelphia's Prep Charter High School, going by @WhatTheVek on social media, has racked up over 20 million views after posting videos of his classmates struggling to read basic words and solve simple math problems. Former teachers explain how many students are reading below grade level — and some educators say they were discouraged from failing students at all. Justin Carter sits down with former Philadelphia teachers, education professionals, and viral social media reactions to break down what’s really happening in classrooms and why many believe parents, schools, and communities should all be concerned. Do these viral videos expose a bigger problem in America’s education system? ## #TSRInvestigates #EducationCrisis #Philadelphia #PhillyNews THE SHADE ROOM is the culture --- What’s going on, who’s worth talking about, the trends, the hashtags, and the challenges in the streets and on TikTok. WEBSITE: [https://theshaderoom.com/](https://theshaderoom.com/) FACEBOOK: [https://facebook.com/theshaderoom](https://facebook.com/theshaderoom) TWITTER: [https://twitter.com/theshaderoom](https://twitter.com/theshaderoom) INSTAGRAM: [https://www.instagram.com/theshaderoom/](https://www.instagram.com/theshaderoom/) Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter: [https://theshaderoom.com/subscribe](https://theshaderoom.com/subscribe) --- ## Transcript [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=0s) Read that in this paragraph for me. She [0:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=1s) wore a suit [0:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=4s) clothes that were [0:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=9s) Who's this for? [0:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=11s) Actually ordinary, but somewhat [0:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=16s) gauche. Now, explain what that means. [0:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=19s) I don't know. To wear a somewhat of [0:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=22s) clothes that were [0:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=26s) I don't know that word. I don't even [0:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=27s) know how to read. These are students at [0:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=29s) Philadelphia's Prep Charter High School. [0:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=31s) >> She wore a I don't know that [0:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=35s) I don't know what to say. I don't know [0:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=36s) what to say. [0:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=39s) I can't read it. I can't read it. It [0:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=40s) ignited a social media fire. Just that [0:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=43s) one video fueling conversation online [0:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=45s) between teachers and parents who [0:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=47s) collectively agree that many black kids [0:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=50s) are graduating high school and they [0:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=52s) can't read. [0:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=53s) >> When you first saw that video, what was [0:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=56s) your first reaction? [0:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=57s) >> Um I was disheartened, but not [0:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=59s) surprised. Ariel Grant, she taught 7th [1:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=61s) and 8th grade in the Philadelphia School [1:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=63s) District for over 7 years and she did it [1:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=67s) until she couldn't take it anymore. [1:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=70s) >> I think every parent should be [1:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=71s) concerned. If my child went there, I [1:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=73s) would be extremely concerned. She says [1:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=75s) these achievement gaps were happening [1:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=77s) way before COVID-19. It's not unusual. [1:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=81s) It's very common within the Philadelphia [1:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=83s) School District even after COVID was [1:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=85s) over and we were inside the classroom. A [1:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=87s) lot of my students were reading on a [1:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=90s) second or third grade level. [1:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=92s) >> And what do you really think was the [1:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=93s) biggest why? When they get home, [1:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=95s) students still need to read and [1:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=97s) reiterate the certain lessons that they [1:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=99s) learn in school to retain the [1:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=102s) information that they learn for that [1:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=103s) day. If not, they will regress. [1:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=106s) >> And that is exactly what she says is [1:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=108s) happening. She couldn't encourage her [1:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=109s) students nor their parents [1:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=111s) to read even a chapter in a book at [1:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=114s) home. [1:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=115s) >> If the structure was not there prior to [1:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=118s) them reaching these middle years, it's [2:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=120s) never it's not going to be there. [2:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=122s) >> But she says parents shouldn't take the [2:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=124s) complete fall for what's going on inside [2:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=126s) our schools. Administrators didn't make [2:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=128s) her job easy either. [2:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=130s) >> Did they discourage you from failing [2:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=132s) kids? Oh, I was told in an email that [2:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=134s) Ms. Grant, you cannot fail any student. [2:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=137s) Though you can give them the lowest D [2:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=139s) possible, um but you cannot fail any [2:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=142s) students. [2:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=142s) >> And why? What was the reason? [2:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=144s) >> If we aren't meeting proficient or [2:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=145s) advanced, a lot of our resources are [2:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=148s) going to be pulled for the following [2:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=150s) school year. [2:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=151s) >> That means that extracurriculars that [2:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=153s) are typically offered in suburban [2:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=154s) schools were in jeopardy. Everything [2:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=157s) from art to music class. We are putting [2:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=160s) our students in the city at a [2:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=162s) disadvantage compared to their [2:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=163s) counterparts in the suburban areas, [2:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=166s) where they don't go through these [2:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=167s) things, where they have the resources. [2:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=169s) They have the music class. They have art [2:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=171s) class. They, you know, they have [2:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=172s) after-school activities, extracurricular [2:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=174s) activities. You guys didn't have a [2:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=175s) library? [2:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=177s) We did not. Um we had a library, but we [3:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=180s) the library was used for uh office [3:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=183s) space. So, students did not go into the [3:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=186s) library. They didn't know how to find [3:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=187s) books. They didn't know how to [3:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=190s) research. A lot A lot was lacking during [3:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=194s) the time that I taught within the [3:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=195s) district. [3:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=195s) >> numbers, they tell the story. Let's take [3:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=197s) Prep Charter High School for example, [3:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=199s) with about 600 students, 70% classified [3:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=203s) as economically disadvantaged, according [3:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=205s) to state data in Pennsylvania. A U.S. [3:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=207s) News & World Report Scorecard found [3:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=210s) students 56% proficient in reading, [3:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=213s) which is actually slightly above state [3:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=216s) average, but 18% proficient in science [3:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=220s) and 21% proficient in math. 8 * = 64. [3:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=225s) What's 64 / 8? Break. Break. [3:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=228s) >> Can't do it. Do the one in your right. [3:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=230s) Break. Break. [3:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=232s) This is This is This 8, ain't it? The [3:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=234s) student posting these videos, he goes by [3:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=237s) What the Vec on TikTok. He's been [3:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=239s) posting even more videos asking his [4:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=241s) classmates to now solve math problems [4:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=245s) recently. 8 * 2? I don't know. [4:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=248s) Wait, 8 * x = 64. [4:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=251s) Does x equal 2? [4:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=253s) All right, do the one on your right [4:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=255s) here. [4:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=255s) Is it 8? And the reading excerpts, they [4:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=258s) aren't getting better. [4:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=259s) >> Read that in this part. The deputy had a [4:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=261s) permutation of the imp- impident [4:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=264s) impident The ambitious ending was the [4:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=268s) epitome of the confusion. [4:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=271s) >> What does that mean? [4:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=272s) Uh [4:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=273s) I don't know. I don't know, bro. We did [4:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=276s) reach out to What the Vec. We haven't [4:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=278s) heard back, but he did share that his [4:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=280s) graduation and prom privileges were on [4:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=282s) the line if he continued making these [4:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=285s) posts. Quote, "I would post a part [4:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=288s) three, but the school board is trying to [4:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=290s) expel me, stop me from going to prom, [4:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=292s) and stop me from walking at graduation." [4:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=295s) End quote. But the school, however, [4:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=297s) later denied those claims. The literacy [5:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=300s) rate is in the toilet. [5:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=302s) >> All of this, enough to get people [5:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=304s) talking on social media. [5:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=306s) >> I have been saying for years that too [5:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=308s) much emphasis is being put on children's [5:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=311s) clothes, activities, everything but [5:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=314s) their education, and it is finally [5:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=316s) finally starting to show. [5:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=318s) >> And we are expecting them to go to [5:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=320s) college and obtain jobs when they cannot [5:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=323s) even comprehend basic skills. We have a [5:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=326s) real issue here, and please do not talk [5:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=329s) to me about graduation rates because [5:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=331s) Bugs Bunny could graduate in this era. [5:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=333s) Yes. This is sad. But how do we fix it? [5:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=337s) >> That's why we asked Marquise Richards, a [5:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=339s) former Philly schools English teacher [5:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=341s) who now works in higher education [5:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=343s) helping first-generation college [5:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=345s) students get acclimated to the academic [5:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=348s) rigor of college. How do we get here? It [5:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=350s) obviously takes us back to No Child Left [5:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=352s) Behind in the Bush administration, [5:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=353s) right? It's no longer worried about [5:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=355s) phonics, it's no longer worried about [5:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=357s) teaching kids how to identify words, how [5:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=359s) to comprehend what they're reading, the [6:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=361s) use of context clues. It's a [6:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=362s) fundamentally different world now, and [6:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=363s) so we're quicker to find an answer more [6:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=366s) so than we can sit there and wrestle [6:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=367s) with these new words and ideas. So, [6:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=369s) we're much more quick in the transaction [6:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=371s) of literacy and education. I think the [6:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=373s) other piece is common core. And so, now [6:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=375s) it's no longer around reading long texts [6:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=377s) anymore. It's not around understanding a [6:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=380s) character's choices, understanding what [6:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=382s) subtext begins to look like. [6:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=383s) >> When it comes to English and reading, [6:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=386s) what are some of the differences that [6:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=387s) common core implements that might not be [6:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=389s) working for at least urban children? [6:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=393s) Yeah, and so a lot of the common core [6:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=394s) assumes that everybody is at the same [6:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=397s) level. Everybody has the same framework. [6:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=399s) And so, this means we're engaging with [6:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=401s) literature that might not be [6:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=403s) representative of who we are. What are [6:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=405s) you noticing as an English teacher? [6:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=407s) Some of the stuff that I was noticing as [6:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=409s) an English teacher was even like I [6:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=411s) couldn't for example, a simple teaching [6:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=413s) practice, it's one of those things where [6:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=414s) we call a cold call. And so, that's [6:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=416s) where we can just call on a student at [6:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=418s) random to ensure that they're paying [7:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=420s) attention and following along. But being [7:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=421s) in an English being an English teacher [7:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=423s) meant that I was also seeing behavior [7:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=425s) show up because kids were not confident [7:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=428s) in their ability to read. And so, it's [7:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=430s) not the fact that the kids don't even [7:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=431s) realize that they're not at a specific [7:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=433s) level, it's the fact that [7:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=435s) they're aware and now choose to be [7:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=437s) avoided in terms of even wanting to try [7:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=439s) because they just know they're not at a [7:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=440s) skill level. You're now taught to teach [7:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=442s) to the lowest performing student in the [7:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=444s) classroom, which means that ability to [7:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=446s) see that middle ground. Often times we [7:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=448s) kind of leave them behind, and that's [7:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=450s) actually who's getting left behind a lot [7:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=451s) of the time. And so, we're worried about [7:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=453s) the outliers. The higher pursuit [7:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=455s) performing students are bored, the ones [7:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=457s) in the middle feel like ah [7:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=459s) I'm I can move along, but I got to wait [7:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=461s) a little bit. and then the lower [7:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=462s) performing students are very much so [7:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=463s) aware that they're being taught [7:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=466s) fundamentally differently. And so, [7:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=467s) you're going to start seeing kids who [7:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=469s) might not be able to immediately [7:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=471s) pronounce a word. Like, I know in [7:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=474s) Marquis, I use my name for example, Q U [7:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=476s) together makes a cuh sound. They're not [7:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=478s) learning that early in elementary school [8:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=480s) anymore, right? They're pretty much kind [8:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=482s) of using sight words in order to get by [8:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=483s) versus the actual fundamentals of [8:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=485s) phonics, which is going to teach you how [8:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=487s) when two letters are together, what [8:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=489s) sound does it typically make? [8:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=491s) And so, by moving that into much more of [8:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=492s) a digital world, kids are being taught [8:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=494s) to [8:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=495s) mess up until you get the right answer [8:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=497s) versus let's try your best guess first [8:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=500s) in order to get the best answer [8:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=501s) possible. And I think that's where we're [8:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=503s) going to see a dip in terms of literacy [8:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=506s) because you're no longer wrestling with [8:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=507s) information, and there's no curiosity [8:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=509s) inherently baked in. What is the fix? [8:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=511s) So, if parents are able to at least read [8:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=514s) to their kids at least 10 to 15 minutes [8:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=516s) a day, if we're able to integrate free [8:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=519s) form writing in the beginning to help [8:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=521s) students kind of gain the muscle of [8:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=522s) writing again, and then honestly learn [8:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=525s) how to really engage with text and [8:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=527s) literature all over again and the long [8:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=529s) forms. And so, we should be reading a [8:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=531s) lot more books in a school year versus [8:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=533s) like these short stories or articles [8:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=535s) meant for you to develop very specific [8:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=537s) skills, but not a love of reading and [8:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=539s) engaging in ideas and practice. [9:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=541s) >> My students bang with Animal Farm. They [9:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=544s) They love Fahrenheit 451, and that's [9:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=547s) when I saw my best results that every [9:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=548s) single time. And so, I do wonder um [9:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=552s) the shift away from like long form [9:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=555s) reading and long form engagement with [9:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=556s) the text and the character and their [9:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=557s) choices has ultimately taken away [9:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=560s) literacy, empathy, community, but also [9:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=562s) the fun and joy of what reading can [9:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=564s) truly experience. All this um social [9:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=566s) media post has done and this trend has [9:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=569s) done is put a mirror up to the rest of [9:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=571s) America in terms of like really where [9:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=572s) it's at. It's just annoying that they [9:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=574s) put black kids at the face of it, but [9:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=577s) the reality is that's the majority of [9:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=579s) America. 33% of us have degrees. Only [9:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=582s) 50% of us engage in voting. [9:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=584s) All of this requires literacy in some [9:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=586s) way, shape, or form. And so, that's [9:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=588s) really where we're at. [9:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=589s) >> All of this coming to at a time where [9:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=590s) districts like Philadelphia, Broward [9:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=593s) County in Florida, DeKalb County in [9:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=595s) Georgia, and even Houston are actively [9:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=597s) closing and consolidating schools due to [10:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=600s) declining enrollment and budget [10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=601s) shortfalls. Prep Charter did release a [10:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=604s) statement about the videos that have [10:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=605s) been going viral. We've shared it on The [10:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=607s) Shade Room before. It reads in part, [10:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=609s) quote, "That Prep Charter High School is [10:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=612s) aware of the video currently circulating [10:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=614s) on social media involving several of our [10:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=616s) students. We want to emphasize that the [10:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=620s) content of this video does not [10:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=622s) accurately reflect our school community [10:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=624s) or the values we strive to uphold every [10:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=627s) day. While some students may have agreed [10:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=629s) to be filmed, the way the footage was [10:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=631s) presented lacks important context and [10:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=634s) has led to a portrayal that is [10:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=636s) misleading and unfair. The video titled [10:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=639s) Can You Read does not represent the [10:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=641s) character, effort, or abilities of our [10:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=643s) students as a whole. Our priority [10:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=645s) remains ensuring that every student [10:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=647s) feels valued and that our school [10:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=649s) continues to reflect the standards of [10:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=651s) academic growth, integrity, and digital [10:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=654s) responsibility that define Prep Charter. [10:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=656s) We appreciate the community's [10:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=658s) understanding and continued support." [11:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=660s) End quote. It's a statement though that [11:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=662s) teachers we spoke to say doesn't address [11:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=664s) the problem or hash out solutions, but [11:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=667s) the silver lining in all of this, these [11:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=668s) videos have at least started [11:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=670s) conversations about these issues. For [11:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=673s) TSR Investigates, I'm Justin Carter. [11:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=676s) Hello roommates, and thank you for [11:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=678s) watching our YouTube channel. Do you [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=679s) want more TSR Investigates? Be sure to [11:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=682s) subscribe and check us out at the [11:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjezkCfT7b8&t=684s) shaderoom.com. ![Video thumbnail](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KjezkCfT7b8/hqdefault.jpg) [@Godd_Iss_HP](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM1Zbe7H69EmiYnvFAChl_A) My 7 yr old reads better than these high school students! She is no longer in public school and is home learning virtually. The strange thing is when she did attend public school, they never visited the library or checked out books! I took my child to the public library weekly and read to her nightly. Now that she is virtual, my concern is they don't write. Everything is done on the computer. She often forgets how to spell her name and her handwriting was once neat but has gone back to poor. Now any writing assignments she has must be done on paper and I take a picture and send it via email to her teacher. I personally feel that the agenda is to purposely keep the children stupid so they will be easy to control as workers and followers. [@AllureKing](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXb2D-SUScLdrq5b4nffSg) Happening by design. Illiterate people are easier to control. People don’t realize how bad this is.
## Media
1. image: https://social-archiver-api.social-archive.org/media/archives/shawstone/NkKnsI2DlC/media/0.jpg