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Re: Times Article: Warning Sign?
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From: Beth Martin <BMartin_at_dce.k12.wi.us>
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:21:01 -0500
I am also noticing a huge increase in the number of online nonfiction book programs such as Scholastic Bookflix and Capstone's Pebblego. They are expensive and I don't think they are better than having good quality nonfiction in the classroom for students to read....with no computer required! Also, at the end of year if you don't shell out another $1000 or more, you have nothing. Books don't require Internet access so for poor districts they are always a better option, in my opinon. They can go home and be used without having to adjust for the "digital divide".
Beth Martin Library Media Coordinator DC Everest Middle School Weston Elementary School bmartin_at_dce.k12.wi.us 715-241-9700 ex.2320
The New York Times article that Marc Aronson referenced yesterday has one statement that underscores a huge fear I have (and that Lynn Rutan already alluded to in what she is hearing from teachers). The article is about the Core Knowledge curriculum, not to be confused with Common Core Standards. But regarding Common Core Standards it states:
"The curriculum may have a particular appeal for city schools beginning to adopt the Common Core standards, which emphasize nonfiction reading and will go into effect in 2014. The Education Department plans to solicit bids from companies interested in creating textbooks, for students of all grades, that will be based on the standards."
So what's going to happen with wonderful trade non-fiction when school districts--strapped for $$, eliminating library media specialist positions right and left, and struggling to figure out the best way to put Common Core into practice--have the option of purchasing textbooks or "programs" (just wait--they'll be coming) designed to meet their Common Core needs. Please insert my skepticism here, or just call my cynical, but I have been waiting and wondering to see who is going to make money off of this, and the answer--as always--will be the textbook companies.
You can read the article at:
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison 600 N. Park Street, Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706
608/262-9503 schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu
www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:21:01 -0500
I am also noticing a huge increase in the number of online nonfiction book programs such as Scholastic Bookflix and Capstone's Pebblego. They are expensive and I don't think they are better than having good quality nonfiction in the classroom for students to read....with no computer required! Also, at the end of year if you don't shell out another $1000 or more, you have nothing. Books don't require Internet access so for poor districts they are always a better option, in my opinon. They can go home and be used without having to adjust for the "digital divide".
Beth Martin Library Media Coordinator DC Everest Middle School Weston Elementary School bmartin_at_dce.k12.wi.us 715-241-9700 ex.2320
The New York Times article that Marc Aronson referenced yesterday has one statement that underscores a huge fear I have (and that Lynn Rutan already alluded to in what she is hearing from teachers). The article is about the Core Knowledge curriculum, not to be confused with Common Core Standards. But regarding Common Core Standards it states:
"The curriculum may have a particular appeal for city schools beginning to adopt the Common Core standards, which emphasize nonfiction reading and will go into effect in 2014. The Education Department plans to solicit bids from companies interested in creating textbooks, for students of all grades, that will be based on the standards."
So what's going to happen with wonderful trade non-fiction when school districts--strapped for $$, eliminating library media specialist positions right and left, and struggling to figure out the best way to put Common Core into practice--have the option of purchasing textbooks or "programs" (just wait--they'll be coming) designed to meet their Common Core needs. Please insert my skepticism here, or just call my cynical, but I have been waiting and wondering to see who is going to make money off of this, and the answer--as always--will be the textbook companies.
You can read the article at:
Megan
Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison 600 N. Park Street, Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706
608/262-9503 schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu
www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
---Received on Wed 14 Mar 2012 09:21:01 AM CDT
