Shocker from the U.K. (Hope It's Not True Here)
From the Telegraph newspaper, this headline, "Children more likely to own a mobile phone than a book." A study by the National Literacy Trust of 17,000 schoolchildren from 7-16 found that almost 9 in 10 have a cell phone (or to go Brit "mobile") than have their own books in the home.
The Trust also had some research saying that 80% of children with better than expected reading skills had their own books compared with 58% below the level expected for their age group.
Research by Nevada University in the U.S. found that "children coming from a “bookish home” remained in education for around three years longer than young people born into families with empty bookshelves, irrespective of parents’ own education, occupation and social class."
Very sobering. What's interesting is that you see more kids texting than actually talking on the phone but does that make it any better?
I'd think it's probably true in the States as well.
The Trust also had some research saying that 80% of children with better than expected reading skills had their own books compared with 58% below the level expected for their age group.
Research by Nevada University in the U.S. found that "children coming from a “bookish home” remained in education for around three years longer than young people born into families with empty bookshelves, irrespective of parents’ own education, occupation and social class."
Very sobering. What's interesting is that you see more kids texting than actually talking on the phone but does that make it any better?
I'd think it's probably true in the States as well.
Comments
THIS is why the "teacher quality" focus is a red herring, a straw man, etc etc. That 40% non-Reading WASL pass rate?
Non-"bookish" homes.
So tell me again why we are denigrating educators who try to make up SOME of the deficit created at home?
I remember being at someone's house and having her remark proudly how "into books" her kids were, when they each had a small shelf with something like six or seven books on it. Her kids were smart and well-informed and I'm pretty sure they did read a fair amount (and I'd be very, very surprised if they didn't pass the WASL) ... but they weren't *accumulators* of books.
Helen Schinske
Maybe I was stretching.
WV thinks I should have had some more musli for breakfast to help my mind.
or http://tinyurl.com/3xe58z8, which goes into more detail.
Helen Schinske
If you have 500 books you're "bookish". 499 you're not.
Did they say 500 of what KIND of books? What about someone with 501 Mad Magazines?
What, me worry?