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PAGE It-PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22,197* back to school AU the latest on Studies show children are reading better than ever Sm Us First lor all your Dry Cltaiaf IMs! Conveniently Located at McHenry Market Plate 385-1944 Potty 7-6Sot.8-5:30| t The Langer Foundation also publishes two free brochures which will help all interested students and parents to under­ stand the importance of proper podiatric care.. • .. One brochure, "When Your Feet Hurt, You Hurt All Over," discusses foot problems in gen­ eral and how they can be helped through biomechanical devices. "Facts for Runners and Other Athletes About Biomechanical Devices" gives a detailed ac­ count of how biomechanical de­ vices work and how they can improve athletic performance while significantly reducing the incidence of stress-related inju­ ries. Johnny can read! And many recent studies in­ dicate that Johnny is reading better than ever. Two leading educators who firmly believe this are Roger Farr, president of the 65,000 member International Reading Association, and Jack Cassidy, former member of the Asso­ ciation's Board of Directors. Farr, director of the Henry Lester Smith Research Center and the Reading Center at the Indiana University School of Education, cites tests in Indiana and Iowa which measured the reading achievement of modern children against that of children in the 1940s. Test results In both cases, the tests showed that today's students read as well or better than chil­ dren in the past. Farr also stresses that students today are younger than students in the same grade in the past. Adjust­ ing the scores to reflect this age differential makes the achieve­ ment difference quite signifi­ cant. Cassidy, associate professor of education at Millersville State College in Pennsylvania, says that although many people complain about the quality of American education, a 1977 study showed that American students compare quite favor­ ably to students in other coun­ tries. Comparative study This study showed that the top 9 percent of twelfth graders in the United States performed better on a reading comprehen­ sion test than comparable stu­ dents in the 14 other countries studied. Since a much higher percent­ age of American students of twelfth grade age are still in school, Cassidy says, "This study show that American edu­ cation serves all students while still providing quality education for its-best scholars." Educators inspire trust Cassidy also notes that de­ spite generally negative media coverage of student achieve­ ment, public support for educa­ tion is growing. He cites a na­ tional opinion survey taken in 1977 which indicates that 41 percent of the American public expressed a great deal of confi­ dence in educators, compared with only 31 percent in 1975. Only 4 percent rated the edu­ cational system as inadequate. Educators were rated higher in the public trust than police, hos­ pitals and public transportation. Furthermore, Farr adds, that although many people believe that reading is "out" and televi­ sion is "in," two separate stud­ ies in 1978 showed that America is still a nation of , readers. A nation of readers According to both studies, over 90 percent of the people sampled read newspapers, mag­ azines or books with some fre­ quency. And of the 55 percent who said that they had read at least one book during the past six months, nearly half had read more than 10 books during that period. Most of the people classified as nonreaders were either visu­ ally impaired or read in a for­ eign language. An interesting finding of one of the surveys is that reading habits are established early in life. Children whose parents read to them were better readers and had a greater interest in bocrfcs than children whose par­ ents did not read to them. "The important role that par­ ents play in the development of their children's reading skills cannot be overemphasized," says Farr. The study also found that children who were successful in the early school years devel­ oped into readers. Both Farr and Cassidy cite an BOOKS ARE TEACHERS. Good books go right on instructing in odd moments when teachers and parents are not on duty. Photo: National Education Association. extensive study conducted nationwide by the National As­ sessment of Educational Prog­ ress (NAEP) to gather informa­ tion about the learning trends of American school children. A random sample of 63,000 children in three age groups were tested in 1971 and 1975. The children in 1975 were equal or better in every phase of the test. A related study by NAEP shows that 17-year-old students gained an average of two per­ centage points on a test of func­ tional, literacy skills between 1971 and 1975. Black students gained an impressive five per­ centage points. Despite all of these positive studies regarding reading and reading education, Farr points out that the one statistic consis­ tently used to "prove" a decline in education is declining SAT scores. However, Farr says, "The use of declining SAT scores to criticize American reading edu­ cation is both inappropriate and inaccurate. The test is not de­ signed to measure reading skills, and much of the score de­ cline can be attributed to the fact that a broader range of students take the test now than in the past." In conclusion, Farr notes, "Negative statistics about American reading education have been emphasized for too long. It is time to stand up and proudly proclaim that reading education is better than ever, and improving all the time." Healthy feet: first step to better athletic performance IN STYLE! with styles from PANTS @For an ever-growing number of students, back to school means back to sports. This increased interest in ath­ letics calls for an increased awareness on the part of stu­ dents and parents alike in the importance of good physical care to prevent sports-related in­ juries. One of the most important things any young sports enthu­ siast can do before beginning training is to go for a check-up with a podistrist or other sports medicine specialist. There is hardly a sport which does not place great strain on the feet, and for the estimated 80% of all people who have some sort of even minor foot prob­ lem, the increase in activity during the sports season can ac­ centuate these problems and possibly create new ones. There are very few cases when a podiatrist will advise a child against sports activity, so no young athlete need fear that this trip to the doctor will curtail his or her sports participation. What the doctor can do is pre­ scribe an orthotic device that will help prevent a foot problem from resulting in injury to other parts of the body--a problem which could lead to the bench. These orthotic devices are not awkward arch supports but at­ tractive, easy-to-wear inserts that are placed into athletic shoes. Orthotic devices are designed to control the abnormalities of the feet and gait, so that they will not only minimize the risk of stress-related injuries, but ac­ tually improve potential athletic performance. The Langer Group, the world's foremost laboratory engaged in the manufacture of custom podiatric biomechanical devices, has taken a special in­ terest in the athlete. Langer has developed a spe­ cial line of sports orthotics geared to the specific needs of individual sports running, sprinting, marathon racing, ten­ nis, football, skiing, basketball and golf. These "Sporthotics" are cus­ tom designed to not only fit the feet, but also to move with the required maneuvers of each sport for improved perform­ ance. If you need assistance in lo­ cating a podiatrist in your area, the Langer Group conducts a free referral service, listing the names of qualified podiatrists in your area. PLACE The Place for name brand Jeans & Tops for Guys & Gals! NOW...Save 25-40% On Final Summer Closeouts IKE PANTS PLACE 2913 W. RTE. 120 • McHENRY 385-6788