By Staff
To be ranked seventh in the state on any educational measure is a feat to be proud of, but Brewton Elementary School's recent ranking for its students' reading skills paints a particularly positive picture of accomplishment.
Though it can't stand on its own, reading is the backbone of a good education. The excellent reading foundation that BES's students are receiving from kindergarten through third grade will be an asset that follows them through middle school, high school, college and into their careers.
Good readers will have an easier time in science, math and history classes. Children with better reading skills will be more likely to read on their own, improving vocabulary and opening them up to new ideas. Students who go on to college will not have to compensate for impaired reading ability on top of all the other new challenges that come with college.
Teachers and students at BES are to be commended for making reading a priority and taking steps to gauge their progress.