How the U.S. can find and train more great teachers

It's no secret that struggling students need first-rate educators to propel them toward success. But what makes a teacher excel?

Bill Frist

Consider Laura. When she entered the third grade, she couldn't understand the stories all her friends enjoyed. She was even too embarrassed to read aloud. Why? She could only read at a first grade level.

Laura's hardly alone — but that's small comfort. A recent study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that one in six children who are not reading proficiently by the third grade does not graduate from high school on time. In other words, Laura's abilities in third grade may very well determine her future.

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Dr. William H. Frist is a nationally acclaimed heart transplant surgeon, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, the chairman of Hope Through Healing Hands and Tennessee SCORE, professor of surgery, and author of six books. Learn more about his work at BillFrist.com.