Nashville Tennessean
Charles Lampkins was already concerned about his two oldest sons before their Memphis school closed due to the coronavirus pandemic last spring.
Both his fifth-grader, Jermaine, and his fourth grader, Justin, have individualized education programs, or IEPs, plans outlining accommodations for students with disabilities ranging from an ADHD diagnosis and dyslexia to cognitive disabilities.
Jermaine’s reading comprehension wasn’t where Lampkins wanted it. Justin wasn’t reading on level, either.
Normally the kids, who like more than 75% of Shelby County Schools students are African-American, would attend a summer reading program to help them catch up.
But last summer, the programs weren’t held.