Every Child has the Right to Learn to Read

By Kymyona Burk and Sylvie Légère

Every Child has the Right to Learn to Read...continued

Sylvie Légère Kymyona Burk

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - As a parent, do you think your child is reading at grade level?

The Learning Heroes' National Parent Survey, conducted annually since 2016, consistently found that many parents tend to overestimate their child's academic performance, including their reading levels.

According to Be A Learning

Hero’s Hidden in Plain Sight survey findings, 92% of parents believe their child is at or above grade level, while 44% of teachers believe that students will be prepared for grade-level work. Meanwhile, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, also called the National Report Card, showed that 65% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading.

Those are the facts. According to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out or fail to graduate from high school. Reading and reading comprehension is the first and most crucial building block in a foundation of success. The ability to read and comprehend connects our youth to more opportunities and new worlds. Imagine a world where every child is equipped with the essential skills to read, learn, and thrive throughout their educational journey. Picture a world where every student is assessed for reading proficiency and struggling readers are promptly identified and set on a path to success. This is especially important because, as the Yale Center for Dyslexia states, dyslexia impacts 20% of the population and accounts for 80-90% of all learning disabilities. It is the most common of all neurocognitive disorders, but it is hard to diagnose early. Picture a world where schools provide targeted, evidence-based interventions tailored to each student's unique needs. Imagine young learners receiving extra instructional time, personalized tutoring, or engaging in small group activities that foster growth and confidence.

And what if parents became continued in next 2 columns

California’s next housing crackdown could force cities to plan more homeless shelters...continued from page 2

County’s homeless services agencies shows the county has 3,080 beds in its year-round shelters and transitional housing programs — 6,198 fewer than its estimated total number of unhoused residents.

Los Angeles County has 21,100 placements in its temporary housing, safe parking and motel programs, according to a county dashboard — not enough to accommodate even a third of its unhoused population.

Advocates want more money for homeless housing

At a recent hearing, some bill critics wondered where the money would come from to build all this extra housing.

“The funding’s going to be incredibly critical,” said Jason Rhine, assistant director of legislative affairs for the League of California Cities. “If we do not have the money, we will not be able to house individuals.” partners in their child's education, staying informed about their real progress, and learning strategies to support their budding readers at home? What if parentteacher conferences were about discussing their child's growth and collaborating on intervention strategies? Could we imagine a world where there is a "Third Grade Gate" which serves as a checkpoint, ensuring that students can demonstrate reading proficiency on a state assessment before advancing to fourth grade?

The league hasn’t officially opposed the bill, but says it has concerns.

Blakespear wants to pair her bill with a new state fund, which would help cities, counties and nonprofits build housing for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. But it remains to be seen how much — if any — money the Legislature allocates, as the state faces a budget deficit of at least $22.5 billion this year.

Some aspects of the legislation are still up for negotiation. It’s unclear what type of homeless housing cities and counties could use to fulfill the new requirements. Blakespear envisions it would include both permanent and temporary — meaning apartments, but also shelters, RV sites, single-roomoccupancy hotels, and more.

It’s also unclear exactly what each city and county would be on the hook for under the new bill, and what the penalties would be for noncompliance. The state’s current process requires cities to plan for housing, including zoning for it and removing roadblocks from its construction, but doesn’t require them to get it built.

Shouldn’t we expect that teachers be champions of reading, armed with training in the science of reading and evidence-based literacy instruction methods such as phonics, empowering them to make a lasting impact on their students' lives?

As these conversations unfold, it’s natural for educators, parents and policymakers to wonder whether their state has a high- continued on page 7

Commentary: Cinco de Mayo - A Celebration of Latinx Revindication in the U.S...continued from page 4

Mexican music, traditions, art, food, and beverages.

Rubén Ábrica, mayor of East Palo Alto, pointed out in an interview with Peninsula 360 Press that during the celebrations of Cinco de Mayo “people of Mexican descent celebrate their contributions to the American society and join Latino communities affirming their culture, history, and aspirations for justice and equity for the Latinx community and for the people of the United States and around the world.”

Ábrica acknowledged that the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in East Palo Alto retains its historical significance by inspiring the community to stand up for their rights and fight “against racist oppression and inequality. These issues have caused suffering for many people, particularly those who are people of color and other vulnerable groups.

The Cinco de Mayo holiday provides an opportunity to explore themes of freedom, culture, and identity. By challenging stereotypes and rejecting one-dimensional representations of Mexican culture: tropes like Sombreros, Burros, and Huaraches.

Undoubtedly, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo has deeper roots than being a celebration where Mexican music is played, it must be more than an excuse to drink Tequila or Mezcal (but who needs one, right?), or a marketing strategy for beer companies, and where typical food is consumed.

There is more than one good reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year. Acknowledging the value and importance of Mexican Heritage and learning about the rich history of Mexican people in the United States is a worthy endeavor.

Karina Alvarado from Peninsula 360 Press provided information for this article.

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

24th, 2023, that the "Doomsday Clock" has been moved up to 90 seconds before midnight -- the closest humanity has ever been to Armageddon. Before 2020, the closest the hand was set to midnight was two minutes. The Doomsday Clock serves as a warning, according to man, of how close the world is to selfannihilation caused by human activity. Midnight is considered the end of all human life.”

Rachel Bronson, the president of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, who unveiled this year’s Doomsday Clock set at 100 seconds to midnight, said “It is the first time the measurement was released in seconds, indicating that the “current environment is profoundly unstable and URGENT ACTION and IMMEDIATE engagement is required by all.”

Also, in the press conference for this year’s Doomsday Clock, former California Governor Jerry Brown likened the scientists’ warning to “VOICES OF THE PROPHETS OF DOOM.” He said that “speaking of danger and destruction is never very easy—if you speak the truth, people will not want to listen, because it’s too awful.” He went on to say that the prophets of old, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, were ignored as well. And as well all know, the warnings of the Old Testament prophets were not just for their time. They also apply to our time [Isaiah 30:8; Daniel 12:9; Habakkuk 2:2-3].

Listen, everything is aligning closely with many prophesied signs of the end times found in the Bible. So how should you respond?. The Bible urges to have a sense of urgency. It describes the suddenness of endtime catastrophes.

The enemy nations will come “from the end of the earth; surely they shall come with speed, swiftly” [Isaiah 5:26], causing great destruction [Jeremiah 4:20; 6:26]. Setting them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts [Malachi 4:1–3, 5].

So, whatcha gonna do? For this is the day of redemption. This is the day of opportunity. This is the day to bear the fruit of repentance. This is the day to be saved from destruction. Whatcha gonna do?

“When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. [Jeremiah 7:27].

And just as I had called and they would not listen, so when they call, I will not listen, says the LORD of Hosts. [Zechariah 7:13].

The people missed the opportunity to be saved from both earthly and eternal destruction. [Luke 19:41-44]. Tragedy!

WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #1149

Reproductive Rights ARE Human Rights

Sherry Warren and Katie Adams

Much of the housing cities plan for during that state-mandated process never gets constructed. And low-income housing fares the worst. In the last eight-year planning cycle, just 20% of the very-low-income units needed statewide were permitted.

The California Building Industry Association opposes Blakespear’s bill, worrying money to fund it would come from raising taxes and fees paid by homebuilders. Furthermore, existing law already requires cities and counties to assess their need for emergency shelter, said Cornelious Burke, the association’s vice president of legislative affairs.

Blakespear said she has no intention of using construction fees to cover the cost of her bill. And she disagreed the state’s existing shelter-assessment requirement renders her bill unnecessary.

“Those are just words,” she said. “That is not an actual obligation to provide anything for people who are unhoused.”

Ray Bramson of Destination: Home, a nonprofit that helps spearhead the homelessness response in Santa Clara County, said the bill could help get more homeless housing built. But it depends on how the details of the bill shake out, he said. For one thing, the bill should focus on permanent housing that comes with supportive services like mental health care – not on temporary shelter, Bramson said.

And, the bill must come with funding.

“If not,” he said, “then it’s just another goal that we’re going to struggle to meet collectively.”

California lawmakers want to know why billions in spending isn’t reducing homelessness

California lawmakers want to know why billions in spending isn’t reducing homelessness

At the direction of a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, the state auditor will complete a detailed audit of spending on California homelessness programs. The number of unhoused has grown, even as spending has increased.

By Lou K. Coleman

Lou K. Coleman

Wake up! Watchmen’s are sending out the warnings and blowing shofars. America is in trouble. What we’re seeing in America is the death of morality. What we’re seeing in America is the death of biblical standards. Morality and biblical commitment are fading in our nation and fading before our very eyes and God is not pleased. America is caught in the doomsday cycle. We are a dying nation in a world of dying nations and dying people.

And in [Isaiah chapter 5], it is showing us what to expect, giving us a truest picture, a divine insight to understand what’s going on in our country, a model of glorious beginnings and disastrous endings, a model of apostasy, a model of decline, a model of starting with the glorious truth of God and ending up in the judgment of God. Wake up! Being oblivious of the obvious will cause you to lose your life.

In [1 Corinthians chapter 10], the apostle Paul said that the Old Testament was written to give us examples. There was a people given everything by God to assure a glorious future. But they, too, followed the same cycle and ended up in tragic judgment.

I tell you, this nation is in the throes of its death. We’re going down, and it’s not political and economic; and it’s not partisan; it’s the rise of sin – defiant sin and the disregard for God’s Word that is taking us down. Wake up!

For He says in [Proverbs 1:2431] "Because I called and you refused, I stretched out My hand and no one paid attention and you neglected all My counsel and did not want my reproof, I will even laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your dread comes. When your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you, you will call on Me, but I will not answer, you will seek Me diligently, but you shall not find Me because you hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. You shall eat of the fruit of you own way and be satiated with your own desires."

Listen, there is always an outpouring, and it is called mercy before trouble comes. I believe and I’m trembling as I’m saying this that we’re entering in a season where God is asking us to take this time seriously because time is running out. Don’t wait until its too late because the sirens are getting louder and louder. Doomsday is around the corner and Christ is soon to return. The situation in the world has become so unstable that catastrophe could happen at any moment.

It’s “Two Minutes Till Midnight” [1 Peter 4:7-11]. Repent and give your life to Jesus NOW! Don’t wait until it’s too late! The Bible urges us to have a sense of urgency, and it describes the suddenness of endtime catastrophes. prophecies that warn of how quickly disaster can [and will] come in the end times. Read it for yourself [Isaiah 5:26; Jeremiah 4:20; 6:26; Isaiah 30:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:3]. And as [Matthew 24:22] reveals, without divine intervention, a coming time of war and destruction would destroy all human life. What are your waiting for? Give your life to Christ today! Because not only are we warned from the Word of God, but “Scientists even revealed on Tuesday, January

We wish it were not true, but these are not unprecedented times; the right to bodily autonomy is a continual struggle and we’re seeing those rights being chipped away, sometimes bit by bit and sometimes with a sledgehammer. The Dobbs decision which obviated Roe v Wade ushered us back fifty years in abortion access and makes it so people who can get pregnant are unable to make their own choices about their healthcare and future. Reducing people to mere wombs and vessels, rather than fully being seen as people, strips all of us of our collective humanity. The chaos being sowed by legislators who are intent on banning abortion access is intentional and intertwined with the many other limits being placed on the rights of individuals to have authority over their own lives.

Siblings in Christ, Seekers of Justice statements affirm the importance of ensuring access to the full range of reproductive health care regardless of race, religion, or economic status, believing that basic human autonomy is a human right bestowed by God. We see over the course of the last several months story after painful story of the sad, incomprehensible situations many folks have found themselves in because of restrictive conditions that pregnant individuals and medical professionals are facing. These stories include withheld cancer treatments, people facing medical crises denied life-saving care, and legislators pushing for those who get an abortion to be incarcerated. Additionally, more people are simply being forced to have children by a well-funded legislative push to control reproductive power. Americans are finding their right to live a full life of their own agency undermined and devalued by legislators.

The majority of abortions in the U.S. take place using abortion bills. The protocol of a Self-Medicated Abortion (SMA) using Mifepristone and Misoprostol has been approved by the FDA and used for decades as a safe option to end intrauterine pregnancy. Now, access to medicated abortion is under increased scrutiny with Wyoming being the first state to pass legislation to explicitly ban abortion pills. A Texas judge recently suspended the FDA approval of mifepristone, putting access to abortion medication at risk nationally and challenging the authority of the FDA in other approvals. While another judge stayed that decision, this attack on the use of evidence-based, approved, essential healthcare is further disempowering individuals and expanding the overreach of legislators over the bodies and personal agency of people across the nation.

The United Church of Christ’s General Synod has spoken clearly through resolutions in support of all pregnant people being able to make the decisions that fit their values, circumstances, and needs - including abortion. These

Even though the Supreme Court responded to an emergency request by the Justice Department and has kept access to mifepristone in states where abortion is legal, this decision is not final or necessarily permanent; the litigation continues. Through all of that, we will continue to provide support and witness to all of God’s beloved children, and work with other communities of faith that support compassionate, complete, and accurately presented reproductive healthcare access. Our image of the divine calls us to be bearers of complete and nonjudgmental information about the decision to have children, not have children, raise those children in safe environments, and for all people to control their own bodies and futures.

Sherry Warren is the Minister for Women’s and Gender Justice for the United Church of Christ.

Katie Adams is the Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues for the United Church of Christ.