Second-year teacher: But if this is what the school wants us to do, we need to do the best that we can … [under other teacher] and if this is what the children, if this is what the children …

Teacher with hat: If this is what the school wants us to do, they need to train us fully to do it.

SEPTEMBER IS HARVEST TIME IN THE DELTA. FOR GENERATIONS, UNTIL THE 1960s, MANY BLACK CHILDREN IN RURAL AREAS HAD TO LEAVE SCHOOL FOR A MONTH EACH FALL TO WORK IN THE COTTON FIELDS.

THE CHILDREN HERE HAVE HISTORICALLY SCORED WAY BELOW AVERAGE IN READING.

Kathleena: I don’t know how to make no “b”. Ms. Todd, is this a “b”?

KATHLEENA LEE ARRIVED AT BEARDEN WITH LITTLE EXPOSURE TO BOOKS.

Kathleena: I have a big bag.

Ms. Todd: Okay, why did you make that “A” a capital letter?

Kathleena: What “A”?

Ms. Todd: Right there, in your …

Kathleena: Right here?

Ms. Todd: Kathleena Lee! Find the “A” and tell me what-

Kathleena: Right here.

Ms. Todd: Why is it a capital?

Kathleena: I don’t know.

Ms. Todd: Is it somebody’s name?

Kathleena: No.

Ms. Todd: Kathleena, she is smart, she can get it all up here, but she can’t transfer it, you know, I just… And if I could sit right there with her and keep her on task… But when I let her go in a group, you know, she’s gone. I’ve lost her.

Ms. Todd: Much better. I have a big bag.

Ms. Todd: Teaching at Bearden is nothing like I expected. I don't feel maybe 100% prepared to go in a classroom and teach reading. I have wonderful things to take into the classroom and use, but as far as getting in that classroom and teaching, and how I should teach… It is, it’s tough. It’s hard.

REGGIE BARNES IS FRUSTRATED, TOO. HE’S BEEN A PASSIONATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE KIDS IN HIS DISTRICT, BUT HE’S FOUND IT HARD TO RALLY COMMUNITY SUPPORT. NOW HE’S HEARD MORE BAD NEWS.

Barnes: Two of the three libraries in two of the three towns on this side of the county have been closed by the Board of Supervisors.

MR. BARNES IS GETTING TIRED OF THESE BATTLES.

Barnes: The leaders cannot see the value of the reading center, which is the library. That's where all the books are. … So hell, if they won't give us decent books, or an opportunity for the kids to read, how are we supposed to improve our test scores? See, we're on our own. We are on our own. The day that I choose to give up is the day that you begin to see us just dwindle down to nothing.

ONE REASON MR. BARNES FEELS SO ALONE IS THAT HE’S FOUND IT HARD TO FIND AND KEEP GOOD PRINCIPALS.

Mr. Jackson: We welcome you to the coronation of Mr. And Mrs. R. H. Bearden. … I’m Donald Jackson, your principal, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite each of you…

THIS IS DONALD JACKSON’S FIRST YEAR HERE AT BEARDEN, AND HE’S JUST STARTING TO LEARN THE JOB.

ONE OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES TONIGHT IS TO CROWN RYAN HAWKINS, ONE OF MS. TODD’S STUDENTS.

Ms. Johnson: Ryan likes to work on his computer, be with his friends, and get in a quiet place to read a book.

IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT RYAN IS DOING WELL IN SCHOOL. UNLIKE MOST KIDS AT BEARDEN, HE HAS AN INVOLVED MOTHER AND FATHER AT HOME.

HIS CLASSMATE, KATHLEENA, IS NOT SO FORTUNATE. IN A TRAILER DOWN THE ROAD, SHE SPENDS THE NIGHT OF THE CORONATION AS SHE SPENDS MOST NIGHTS, WATCHING TV AND FALLING FURTHER BEHIND.

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