The Times Herald-Record published an article today, 'Boot camp' for literacy, about a new reading and writing class for junior high students which is part of the Extended School Year program in the Newburgh School District. The article is generally favorable toward the program.

"Every aspect of the new SRA/McGraw Hill literacy curriculum is timed and scripted. It tells teachers exactly what to say, how to say it, even what hand motions to use."

"Students in the program are grouped according to reading level. The lowest tested at a third-grade level and the highest at a fifth-grade level. At the end of the summer, the students will be tested again to track their progress."

Is there no other way to measure the effectiveness of this highly regimented program than to purchase exams from McGraw Hill? The Record runs a Reader Reactions forum where there are some comments.