Dumbing Down of Reading: Revisited

[Sandy Pomerantz <spomeran@PHILA.K12.PA.US>]

Dear Colleagues,
        About a year ago I brougSubject: HIT: bible referencing
bout the way
publishers are watering down subjects for students by dividing into several
books what used to be in one. Example: Rourke's sport sets where each
aspect of a sport like football is a separate book rather than a separate
chapter. Thus Rourke can get 6 times the money by making a set of 6 books
on a sport. each student can read one aspect rather than 6 students reading
6 football books with the same info for the same price. And everything
non-fiction is coming in "Eyewitness" style quick bytes of text and
illustrations all over the pages.
        A number of you had great input and most agreed with me, even pointing out
other examples I hadn't thought of. The editor of our state school library
association magazine was intrigued and asked me to create an article for
the spring 2000 issue.  I wish to use quotes from some of you in the
article and I suggested just using initials like - J.K from Aurora, CO, but
Ms. Mason wants me to get your permission to quote you regardless.
        Following is a a list of those from whom I wish to quote unless edited out
because it's too long:
        Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, Aurora, CO; Marcia Dressel, Osceola, WI; Michelle
Cowell, Manchester, IA; Cynthia Smith, Dayton, TN;Janet Foster, Turner, OR;
Joanne Ladewig, La Puente, CA;Kimberly Thames, Atlanta, GA; Earl Sandes,
?;Denell Hilgendorf, Osaka, Japan; Heidi Rawson-Ketchum, Colwater, MI; Jean
Anne Lowis, Duncan, BC, Canada; Myra Gross, Swedesboro, NJ;Bonnie Gabriel,
Ryerson, NJ; Debby Walters, Woodville WI;Margaret Wuersten, Puyallop,
WA;Lynn Johnson, Citra FL;Joanne Proctor, Topeka, KS;and Kay Goss,
Mansfield MO.
        If you are on this list and don't mind me quoting you, please e-mail me
ASAP so I know who I need to delete, etc. I'll make sure each of you gets a
copy.
                                Thanks so much!
                                Sandy P. in Philly

"It's got to be the goin',
Not the gettin' there that's good!"  (Harry Chapin in song "Greyhound")

"But then, you could go both ways." (scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz")

Sandy Pomerantz, Librarian and Entertainer
Central East Middle School
238 E. Wyoming Ave.
Phila., PA 19120
(215) 456-3037 - Library
(215) 456-3012 _ School
(215) 456-0122 - Fax

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