why aren't they learning?!

It's March; school continues to accelerate forward. I have some students who seem to be stuck, at an impass, no matter what I do. Why aren't they learning?! A few weeks ago I met a teacher from Arrowhead who sang the praises of Achieve 3000: a reading differentiated computer program. He mentioned the benefits of using it for the sake of research. Research?! We had just begun a non-fiction unit based on research, leading to a research paper. Hmm. We have some access to this program in our school. I wonder. I have the perfect class to test in this program, for this purpose. The following day, I seeked out the necessary requests, inputted the names, and signed up for the soonest available computer time. You see, if I didn't, I would have continued to do what I was doing . . . the same thing I did before. Few glitches met us as we completed the reading skill test to determine levels of reading in this class. Wait for the results. With help, I was finally able to read the results and made a shocking discovery. Why aren't they learning?? I am speaking and teaching at a completely elevated reading level to almost all of them. They are struggling readers. I did not know exactly how much they struggled. You see, kids don't tell us; they don't tell anyone. And when they do, we often mistake their grievance for a lack of hard work or effort. We are now committed to practicing reading in class and within the Achieve 3000 program. I met with one of our two reading interventionists to pilfer ideas to embark on this trek to helping each and every one of my students learn in a language they understand while pushing them to elevate their skills and knowledge. Practice makes perfect, but not when the practice is beyond one's ability. They will practice, refine, and build their comprehension with my help and the help of a district that is committed to teaching each and every one of them. Upward and outward.