Libraries have role in education reform

By The Des Moines Register

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Various proposals in Gov. Terry Branstad's education reform blueprint are being run up the flagpole. Many Iowans appear to be saluting at least one: an effort to ensure that third-graders can read. The measure would require students to demonstrate proficiency in literacy before they can be promoted to fourth grade.

It makes sense. If you can't read, you will struggle with all subjects in school and be much more likely to eventually drop out. Reading is the most basic building block of education. Students must be able to do it well early.

Yet the idea of retention has some Iowans concerned about damaging a student's self-esteem. It's hard to imagine there is anything more damaging to self-esteem in the long run than being illiterate. And though retaining students is controversial, it sets a definitive standard for what all Iowa students must achieve by a certain point.

But it also sends a message beyond the schools.

That is where the message about reading really needs to be heard. Yes, having as many as 10,000 Iowa third-graders who were illiterate last year is an embarrassment for this state's educational system. But it's also an embarrassment for Iowa's families.

Working on reading with a young child is largely the responsibility of that child's family. It's about priorities - like turning off the television and buying books instead of video games. It doesn't take money to visit a library and sit down with your child to read before bed, to sound out words and talk about the story.

Parents knowing their child may not be able to move on to fourth grade may help motivate them to get to make changes. It will likely motivate the child as well.

Schools, obviously, play a role. There must be incentives and consequences for teachers to help ensure literate students. Beyond focusing on reading in the classroom, schools must make greater efforts to inform parents what students are expected to know by the end of a school year. That isn't always clear to families.

The focus on early literacy was the topic of a recent conference. Des Moines' Child and Family Policy Center was one of the sponsors. Executive director Charles Bruner said his organization is not taking a position on the specific idea of retaining kids, but the emphasis on reading is the right one.

Illiteracy costs an entire society in the long run when people cannot secure decent jobs or end up relying on social programs. “Invest now or pay later,” said Bruner.

But any investment that seeks to improve literacy should not automatically be focused on schools. In fact, money may be better directed toward the more than 500 libraries in Iowa communities which have seen state funding drastically reduced the last few years - even while usage increases.

Public libraries offer access to books and computers. They operate programs encouraging kids to read. Many already have outreach efforts in place that could be expanded.

The majority of children who struggle with reading come from low-income families, and much of what libraries offer is free. They level the playing field so any family, regardless of income, has the opportunity to check out books for children to read.

Improving the literacy of Iowa students is about involving and equipping entire communities, not just focusing on schools. Iowa lawmakers must remember that when making funding decisions.