[LM_NET] YA Nonfiction Cheating YA Students

[Dawn Sardes <yayagoddess@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

As a teen services librarian in a public library, I have been noticing this for 
some time now--the "dumbing down" of content to this picture-book, low reading 
ability, just-the-facts-ma'am level of information.
   
  But it does not end there.  
   
  In the late 90's, when I left teaching to become a public library YA librarian, I 
was inundated with kids coming in for help locating materials for research for 
their projects and assignments.
   
  Just off the top of my head:
   
  In fall, the Native American projects.  Each student was assigned a tribe they 
had to research, write a report on, and create an artistic project for display in 
the school. 
   
  The "Create a model of a cell" project.  Kids came up with really creative ides, 
such as using jello, with various fruit as the nucleus, goli apparatus, all the 
other internal structures of a cell.
   
  The Earthquake project, the volcano project, the hurricane project, the planets 
project
   
  The research a tree project, 
   
  The Create a local dictionary of all things Ohio project
   
  In February, the African-american projects
   
  In March, the women's history projects,
   
  Since 2000, these projects have disappeared off the radar screen.  NOT a single 
child has come in asking for materials to do any of these projects for about 5 
years now.
   
  WHY?
   
  What teacher has time for wonderful, enriching long-term projects like these that 
foster independent thought, teach research skills, note-taking abilities?
   
  THEY GOT A TEST TO TEACH TO!!!!  A high stakes test that will mean that their 
school, and them, will be viewed as a success or a failure.
   
  We public librarians are busy weeding nearly all our nonfiction and reference 
collections.  Why?  They no longer get used. 
   
  We're making room for another two dozen copies of Pootie Tang on DVD.  Oh yes, 
we're also buying a lot of urban erotica by authors like Noire.
   
  THAT gets checked out.  Our funding is tied to the number of check-outs, so, 
we're offing the books and putting more and more money, and shelf space, into 
trashy movies and borderline-porn books every year.
   
  I try not to think about it too much.  I don't want to be driven to drink.
   
   
   
   


Dawn Sardes
Teen Services Librarian
Euclid Public Library
Euclid, OH
yayagoddess@sbcglobal.net.omit.this
Check out my Harry Potter Fan Fiction at
http://www.fanfiction.net
Pen Name: YaYa Goddess

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------