Sent to the New York Times, Sept. 19, 2015
Critics of Mayor de Blasio's plan to improve education in New York typically fault the plan for not attending to their favorite cure ("Mayor DeBlasio’s school agenda," Sept. 18). This letter is no exception, but the research is overwhelming: Invest in school and public libraries and their staffs.
Here is the logic: Children of poverty typically have the lowest scores on reading tests. They also have little access to books at home, at school, and in their communities. For these children, their only source of books is often the library. Studies confirm that given access to interesting reading material, children will read, and when they do, their reading scores improve, as does their vocabulary, grammar, and writing. In fact, those who develop a reading habit nearly always perform well on literacy tests. Without access to books, it is impossible to develop a reading habit.
There is strong evidence for each of these claims, and they are confirmed by studies showing the positive impact of library quality on reading test scores.
Stephen Krashen
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/19/opinion/mayor-de-blasios-school-agenda.html?mwrsm=Facebook
Sources:
Children of poverty typically have the lowest scores on reading tests: Krashen, S., Lee, SY. and McQuillan, J. (2012). Is the library important? Multivariate studies at the national and international level. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 26-36.
Little access to books: Smith, C. , Constantino, R. and Krashen, S. 1997. Differences in print environment for children in Beverly Hills, Compton and Watts. Emergency Librarian 24,4:4-5; Neuman, S. & Celano, D. (2001). Access to print in low-income and middle- income communities. Reading Research Quarterly, 36(1), 8-26.
Given access, children read: Lindsay, J. 2010. Children's Access to Print Material and Education-Related Outcomes: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Review. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates. http://bit.ly/9lKPPa
When they read, reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing improves: Sullivan, A. & Brown, M. (2014). Vocabulary from adolescence to middle age. London: Centre for Longitudinal Studies, University of London; Krashen, S. (2004). The power of reading. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann and Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited (second edition).
Positive impact of library quality: Krashen, S., Lee, SY. and McQuillan, J. (2012). Is the library important? Multivariate studies at the national and international level. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 26-36. Keith Curry Lance, studies at http://www.lrs.org/impact.php.
Critics of Mayor de Blasio's plan to improve education in New York typically fault the plan for not attending to their favorite cure ("Mayor DeBlasio’s school agenda," Sept. 18). This letter is no exception, but the research is overwhelming: Invest in school and public libraries and their staffs.
Here is the logic: Children of poverty typically have the lowest scores on reading tests. They also have little access to books at home, at school, and in their communities. For these children, their only source of books is often the library. Studies confirm that given access to interesting reading material, children will read, and when they do, their reading scores improve, as does their vocabulary, grammar, and writing. In fact, those who develop a reading habit nearly always perform well on literacy tests. Without access to books, it is impossible to develop a reading habit.
There is strong evidence for each of these claims, and they are confirmed by studies showing the positive impact of library quality on reading test scores.
Stephen Krashen
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/19/opinion/mayor-de-blasios-school-agenda.html?mwrsm=Facebook
Sources:
Children of poverty typically have the lowest scores on reading tests: Krashen, S., Lee, SY. and McQuillan, J. (2012). Is the library important? Multivariate studies at the national and international level. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 26-36.
Little access to books: Smith, C. , Constantino, R. and Krashen, S. 1997. Differences in print environment for children in Beverly Hills, Compton and Watts. Emergency Librarian 24,4:4-5; Neuman, S. & Celano, D. (2001). Access to print in low-income and middle- income communities. Reading Research Quarterly, 36(1), 8-26.
Given access, children read: Lindsay, J. 2010. Children's Access to Print Material and Education-Related Outcomes: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Review. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates. http://bit.ly/9lKPPa
When they read, reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing improves: Sullivan, A. & Brown, M. (2014). Vocabulary from adolescence to middle age. London: Centre for Longitudinal Studies, University of London; Krashen, S. (2004). The power of reading. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann and Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited (second edition).
Positive impact of library quality: Krashen, S., Lee, SY. and McQuillan, J. (2012). Is the library important? Multivariate studies at the national and international level. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 26-36. Keith Curry Lance, studies at http://www.lrs.org/impact.php.
I GOT A LEGIT LOAN WITHIN THREE DAYS OF APPLYING @ 2% INTEREST RATE
ReplyDeleteDo you need a loan to pay debt, Pay bills, buy a new home and refinance your business? if yes contact MARIA HAUSTIN LOAN FIRM VIA email: mariahaustin@hotmail.com for easy and fast loan amount transfer. When i could not face my debt and i need a hug money for my son surgery, to get a good home and money to buy groceries for my other kids at home then i came on line to search for lender and i met how Mariahaustin had help several person. i immediately contact her company with my details and my loan amount was approve within 48hours and i receive the credit in my bank. contact MARIAH AUSTIN LOAN FIRM with her email mariahaustin@hotmail.com For fast approved funds transfer