Interesting information

By captain kate · Sep 11, 2012 · 555 · 7
  1. According to the Department of Education, 79% of 8th graders aren't proficient in reading, which means they cannot read to their grade level. 80% aren't proficient in math.

    These aren't isolated stats, the numbers might be lower, around 50% but they're consistent country wide. It tasks us, as writers, to make sure we keep our books written somewhere in the middle because there are people, even if their reading skills are below par, who will want to read.

    According to the nces.ed.gov website's nations report on reading, not a single state. ZERO STATES reached proficient level. 34 reached basic and 14 were below basic.

    Interesting data.

    And saddening.

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  1. thirdwind
    Wow, that is sad. I just looked at a few stats on the Department of Education site, and it looks like the reading scores haven't changed at all in the last decade or so.

    Also, I don't agree with your point that a writer should dumb down his writing just to make it more accessible to a larger audience. The education system needs to be improved so that more students are reading at a higher level and can access works that require greater reading and critical thinking skills. We want to improve the overall reading ability, not keep it at the same level.
    thirdwind, Sep 11, 2012
  2. captain kate
    Exactly, a lot of which is beyond our control as writers. We cannot make parents get involved, we cannot make the system change until we, the people, take over the school boards, and make the schools teach again.

    My sister teaches 2nd grade, and she gets to spend one hr a week on science, social studies, and math. A couple more for art and English and that's it. The system makes them spend MORE time coddling, and telling the kids how great they are, instead of teaching anything. It's a damn shame.

    Forgot to mention how they keep passing kids on up the ladder who can't do the work at the level they're at. She had four students, a couple years ago, needed to be held back because they couldn't do their grade level work. The principal said no, that she didn't believe in holding them back, and kicked the kids onto the third grade, and then did the same the next year...right on up to the day they left for middle school. Any bets on how well they'll be able to read and write by the time they're supposed to graduate high school? The system's a broken, mess, which is a disservice to our children.
    captain kate, Sep 11, 2012
  3. DanesDarkLand
    I find it depressing. I was reading the newspaper, while it was in my parent's hands, at age four, with comprehension. I don't believe that is was word for word, of course, but it was enough to understand the article my mother was reading. she hid the newspaper after that. In school, I gobbled up books.

    To think that what I find entertaining, the worlds my mind builds, conquers, or plays in, just isn't satisfying to our current younger generation. Probably has a lot to do with texting, and a lack of social skills. Funny, a lack of social skills is usually what drove me to books.
    DanesDarkLand, Sep 12, 2012
  4. Padfoot
    When I was in HS I noticed a lot of books aimed at very young kids. I asked the librarians why and she said it was because most of the students couldn't read past a 4 grade reading level.
    Padfoot, Sep 13, 2012
  5. thirdwind
    What kinds of books were the kids reading in your HS English class? I'm sure the curriculum involved at least a few books of average difficulty.
    thirdwind, Sep 13, 2012
  6. Lemex
    While I was at school most people who were interesting and worth knowing read a lot. Those who didn't were usually both quite boring, and to be brutally honest, quite dumb. I left high school only 5 years ago or so, and I'm sure things haven't changed since then. Most of the smart kids read and read good books, most of the thick kids didn't read at all. The problem will come when reading becomes an elitist form of entertainment.
    Lemex, Sep 13, 2012
  7. mugen shiyo
    Books are never cool in school :(
    mugen shiyo, Sep 22, 2012
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