Center Brings Adults’ Reading Skills Up To Par Veteran Instructor’s Dream: ‘Become Unemployed Due To Lack Of Need’

Shane Dewey has nothing against Bingham County educators, who awarded him a high school diploma but didn’t teach him to read beyond the thirdgrade level.

After graduation, the 25-year-old took vocational tests to see what jobs would suit him best.

“That’s when I found out my reading skills weren’t up to par,” said Dewey, taking time out from his morning studies at Idaho State University’s Adult Success Center.

He has cerebral palsy and speaks slowly to explain why he had a low reading level.

“It takes me a little while longer to do everything, so in school they used to read assignments to me and read my books to me in order to speed it up so I could keep up with other students.

“So when they did that they were hurting me in the long run. I’m relearning everything I should have learned in grade school, junior high and high school.”

Since enrolling at the success center in 1991, where he takes classes from 8 a.m. to noon three days a week, Dewey has improved his reading skills to an 11th-grade level.

His story isn’t unusual.

About a million people in the United States either have low reading levels or are illiterate, said Norma Jean Clemons, who has been teaching reading and other academic skills at the success center for 14 years.

Clemons loves teaching people to improve their reading.

“It’s the most fun job that’s humanly possible,” she said. “But we’re scooping the Portneuf with a thimble. My dream is that in my life, I’d like to become unemployed due to lack of need.”

There are many reasons for illiteracy, she said. In Dewey’s case, his teachers did the best they could considering the time constraints of a school day.

Others drop out of high school, often because their reading skills are so low they can’t comprehend class material. Others have learning disabilities that go undiagnosed.

Whatever the reason, it’s never too late to learn to read.

“People who come here are the heroes,” Clemons said. “They’re willing to admit they want to improve their lives. Most people are happy to hide their illiteracy.”

Although low-level readers try to mask their problem, there are a few signs. They might ask someone to order for them at a restaurant, ask someone to fill out a job application, say they don’t have reading glasses with them or take forms home to have a literate family member fill them out.

As society becomes increasingly technological, reading skills become even more crucial for job advancement, which is one of the biggest motivations for people who come to the success center.

Clemons understands that many low-level readers are afraid of failing, so as they learn she counteracts their fears with praise and builds their confidence.

She also tells them she understands how frustrating it is to have a learning disability. She was diagnosed with dyslexia, often mixing up the letters d and b and p and q. Using word games, however, she was able to read and has a master’s degree in education.

Dewey gladly offered advice to anyone who is considering enrolling at the success center but might be hesitant.

“Up here you can work at your own pace,” he said. “You can do it.”