find reading his letters enlightening. This one from 12/18 was written to USA today.
More to come!!!
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Please consider going to the USA today website and read today's editorials - USA Today argues for a longer school day, Susan Ohanian says no. You can add a comment!! Here is what I wrote:
Even if the goal is higher test scores, Ohanian is right and USA Today is wrong. Studies consistently show that out-of-school factors are powerful predictors of test scores in reading, more powerful than school/instructional factors. See the work of Jeff McQuillan (The Literacy Crisis: False Claims and Real Solutions), and the recent study by ETS (The Family: Americaâ*(TM)s Smallest School). The recent international PIRLS study, in fact, found that no instructional factors made any difference in predicting fourth grade reading scores in 40 countries. Only the environment counted, factors such as poverty and access to reading material. To increase literacy levels, we don't need a longer sachool, we need better school and public libraries.
S.K.
2 comments:
Dr. Krashen is right! Like we prepare soil for plants, so must we consider the importance of the environment for students to flourish. This is called Maslow's hierarchy of needs—Behavioral and psychological needs (basic life needs such as, food, water, air, sleep, shelter, clothing; safety needs (security, stability, and protection); social needs (a sense of belonging, family, relationships to give and receive love, friendship, appreciation); esteem needs (achievement status responsibility); self-actualization (personal growth, fulfillment). Many young people are having to cope with biological and psychological needs, safety needs. School environments can help immensely by providing access to a wide range of reading materials for ALL students.
Books have power. When student see themselves in the books they read, they become more literate. Providing quality literature for children to read, would be a whole lot better and far more useful than having a longer school day.
Yvonne Siu-Runyan, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
Interesting article! I must say that you have chosen a great subject for article. I really enjoyed your blog. I think teaching is the best experience.
Arizona Teacher Staff Development
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