Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Scores are up!

According to the latest report of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), elementary school kids are reading more and at a higher level--than they ever have in the last 35 years. Yea!!! Even the lower performing students are making prograss.

Trouble is, they can't quite figure out why. Thanks goodness they did not point to Accelerated Reading Programs. There is some evidence that Harry has helped reader interest There more parents reading to their children too. Some experts believe that switching to guided reading in the school curriculum--that is grouping kids to read books at appropriate reading levels (and not having every one struggle through the same old text). Many credit media promotion with the renewed interest--look at Lemony Snicket, Willy Wonka, Narnia and LOR--all movies recently.

A third grade teacher is quoted as saying that the more time parents put into their chil's education, the better they will do in school. Families who think literacy is important, who read to their kids--their kids are probably going to read above grade level." Another said, "The biggest thing is to have the kids read aloud and have them formulate opinions on what they are reading." AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, said the retired school librarian.

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