CHILDREN LIKE TAVARES, WHO START SCHOOL SO FAR BEHIND, NEED ALL THE STARS TO ALIGN: A DETERMINED PRINCIPAL, A SYSTEMATIC READING PROGRAM, SOME HELP AT HOME, AND WELL-TRAINED TEACHERS WHO EXPECT THE KIDS TO SUCCEED.

Ms. Morgan: Okay, everybody, listen. Tavares is leaving. You need to tell him goodbye.

Kids: Good-bye!

Ms. Morgan: Tell him to have a great summer!

Kids: Have a great summer!

Tavares: You, too!

TAVARES WAS LUCKY, BUT USUALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE KIDS WIND UP IN SCHOOLS THAT ARE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEM.

THE TEAM AT BEARDEN IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND THEIR GOAL IS NO DIFFERENT FROM WALTON’S.

Ms. Kemp: Every day children come to us to make them successful, and to have a part in- it’s unbelievable.

A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS CONTINUES ON PBS.ORG. VISIT US ON THE WEB FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO TEACH KIDS TO READ AND HOW YOU CAN HELP IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

TO ORDER A VIDEOCASSETTE OF A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS, PLEASE CALL 1-800-228-4630.

FUNDING FOR A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS WAS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

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Photo Credit for Bearden Elementary: Maude Schuyler Clay
Photo Credit for Walton Elementary: Chris Hamilton