Sent to the NY Times, July 12, 2010
Bob Herbert ("Outside the Casino," 7/12) notes that Wall Street
"hustlers and high rollers" are doing well, while schools are cutting
services, including libraries.
Federal education policy will have the same effect: Education
Secretary Duncan plans to spend billions on new standards and tests,
increasing testing far beyond the currently unreasonable levels. There
is no scientific evidence that this will help students, but it will
help the "hustlers and high rollers" in the publishing industry: Along
with new standards and tests come new textbooks linked to tests.
In contrast, there is substantial evidence showing that programs that
have been weakened were effective: For example, studies show that
library quality and staffing is related to literacy development.
Libraries are especially important for children of poverty, who have
few other sources of books. Investing in libraries, however, does not
result in quick profits for the hustlers and high rollers in
education.
Stephen Krashen
July 12, 2010
**Outside the Casino**
**New York Times**
**By BOB HERBERT
