Chris Stanislawski, a 14-year-old student at Garden City Middle School in Long Island, expressed frustration over the reliance on chapter summaries and abridged texts in his English classes, feeling it diminishes the reading experience. This trend is reflected in many classrooms across the U.S., where teachers are increasingly opting for selected passages over full-length novels, citing concerns about students’ attention spans and the need to prepare for standardized tests. The National Council of Teachers of English has acknowledged this shift, suggesting a move towards teaching media literacy alongside traditional literature. Educators like Seth French advocate for a diverse range of texts but note that many students lack interest in assigned readings.
Not-so-Great Expectations: Students are Reading Fewer Books in English Class
Updated on September 19, 2024