SMART had just started at my son Alan’s school when he started participating. He disliked school in those early years because he was struggling with reading. It just didn't come easily to him.

We read to him at home every day, but he didn't like school. He didn't like reading or writing. Every morning was a struggle to get him to school, but it was definitely easier on the days I could say, "You get to read with the SMART person today." He was able to participate for two years, and boy was I sorry when he got too old!

Today, Alan is a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. His overall PSAT scores were in the top 1% (99th percentile) of all U.S. juniors who took the test. As a second grader when he started SMART, he scored in the bottom 10% for reading ability.

Alan has been a student leader at Multnomah ESD Outdoor School several times. He is interested in a career in public safety and politics and is currently becoming involved in the Multnomah County Search and Rescue and some other related programs.

In elementary school he had wonderful teachers. People were good to him. I attribute his success today to those teachers and to SMART.

Even the bright, lucky kids need a little extra help sometimes.

- Mother of Alan, SMART Student 1998-2000