英语听力

There has been a movement to help children improve their reading. President Clinton later joins (former)Presidents Ford, Carter and Bush at "the President's summit for America's future" today. The summit is (Aimed)at recruiting one million volunteer tutors to provide after school, weekend and summer reading help for up to three million children. Mr. Clinton will ask Congress this coming week for nearly three (billion)dollars to fund a five-year program called "America Reads".

The program would fund the (coordination)of the efforts of 20 thousand reading specialists. Besides, it would also give (grants)t o h e l p c h i l d r e n r e a d b y

t h e t h i r d g r a d e, o r about a g e eight. During his Saturday radio (address), the President explains why the program is importat."We need 'America Reads' and we need it now.It is highly necessary to (strengthen)the education of American youth. This fact is supported by research. Studies show that if the fourth-graders fail to read well, (they are likely to drop out of school, and are less likely to succeed in life)But, 40 percent of them still can't read at a basic level."

Volunteer tutors, (who provide community service in exchange for college funding, are being used in literacy and tutoring programs)The programs, initiated (发起) by President Clinton, have been criticized by Congress. Some say that the programs would be too expensive

The President says many of the Philadelphia summit's corporate sponsors will recruit tutors. (Dozens of colleges are preparing to send thousands of their students to support the program )

.