Hustlers and High Rollers: Not Just Wall Street

Hustlers and High Rollers: Not Just Wall Street
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 are 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
Herbert article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/opinion/13herbert.html?th&emc=th