A quick thread as I look through survey results from 50 high school freshmen. #ProjectLITchat 
14 out of 50 students reported they read 0 books last year. 10 said 1, and another 4 said 2.
35 out of 50 students said they rarely or never read outside of school? Why? TIME and ACCESS.
27 out of 50 students literally could not name the best book they read in middle school. “I don’t remember.” “Don’t have one.” “No idea.” “None.” “I really don’t know.” “IDK.”
Those who did list a favorite? The Outsiders. A Long Walk to Water. Hunger Games. Bud Not Buddy. The Lightning Thief. Wonder.
32 out of 50 reported a neutral or negative attitude towards reading.
As I told my students, I don’t blame them at all! In fact, if I was in their shoes, sitting in a classroom without great books to choose from or consistent time to read, I’d probably feel the same way.
I just want adults, especially those in positions of power, to recognize that what we’re doing in our schools, in our English classrooms, is not working for far too many of our students. And we’ve got to do better.
The good news? I’m firmly convinced that if we focus on the right things, ALL students will become passionate, proficient readers.
One easy step that all schools & districts could take? Increase access to great books that students actually want to read.
Stop placing that burden on teachers. We’ve got enough on our plates already.
What is your school doing to CELEBRATE reading and VALUE its readers?
“Oh, that soft data is great, but what about test scores?”
Our 46 @ProjectLITComm students outperformed their peers by 4.7 points in English and 3.7 in Reading on last spring’s ACT.
Our 46 @ProjectLITComm students outperformed their peers by 4.7 points in English and 3.7 in Reading on last spring’s ACT.
Why do I get so fired up? Because I know that across our country, thousands of teachers are forced to commit malpractice every day. They literally have to break the rules to do what’s best for their students.
All this talk about the need for innovation and creativity, yet we continue to require the same texts, same essays, same units, same syllabi, year after year. And then act surprised when students stop reading. 🤔
Readers READ. Why, then, don’t we flood all of our schools & communities with books that get students reading (and writing and thinking and talking and leading)?
