I really enjoy reading educational books that are succinct and truthful. Results Now by Mike Schmoker is such a book. He not only discusses how our educational system is broken and in need of revitalization, but, he provides meaningful ways to improve it."Underdeveloped literacy skills are the number one reason why students are retained, assigned to special education, given long-term remedial services, and why they fail to graduate from high school."
It's interesting to note, that ninety percent of the books I read last academic year, preached the importance of literacy. This is nothing new; however, the importance of literacy is still a concept that many schools fail to understand, let alone implement - specifically in elementary schools. In an educational world filled with canned curriculum, engagement strategy programs, and irrelevant and meaningless professional development, educators and leaders alike, fail to grasp the concept of simplicity. For example, how many books do children read in one academic year at school? One? Ten? Alarmingly, research indicates that many children don't read any! How is this possible? How does a child attend school for nine months and not be provided the simple opportunity to read one book?
"It is through reading, writing, and talking, that students most directly and effectively acquire a facility with what Lisa Delpit calls the 'dominant discourse.' It is the language of the educated, the language of the ruling and decision making class. Those who master this language can influence others and are the least susceptible to being manipulated by those who wield language for unwholesome purposes." Clearly, it is of paramount importance that literacy become the backbone of a proper education. So how is this accomplished?
"Startling as this may sound, the truth is that many children read for a remarkably small percentage of the school day."
Sound familiar? It should, as this is ubiquitous in many schools across our nation. The solution: provide vast amounts of time for children to simply read and write. "Our failure here explains the fact that after 12 years of 'English,' a third or more of college students need remedial English. In the California State University system, that number is 46 percent." Alarming statistics! All of this could be ameliorated by providing children meaningful and authentic opportunities to practice reading and writing.
Mike Schmoker is an author, speaker, and consultant. He is a former middle and high school English teacher and central office administrator.
