I think that there's only so much that society (taxpayers) can do. Kids go to school then home to the video console. Junior might be great at sports, and that's more important than reading. It's unfortunate that parents don't see the value in reading - the bonding opportunity as well as the learning and the monetary value in life. I don't know what the answer is - schools offer special ed and the volunteers in the SMART program do what they can, but if parents aren't engaged, the kids are probably doomed.